Your Local Link: July 2024

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THE

39

STEPS ARRIVES AT GRAND OPERA HOUSE YORK

After nearly 10 years in London’s West End, a stage adaptation of Alfred Hitchcock’s iconic novel is headed our way! It arrives at Grand Opera House York on the 23rd of July and will play until the 27th!

Happy Birthday to us!

In celebration of our 21st we’ve changed so much about this magazine that it’d be impossible to list it all in one contents space! The only policy is to just get scrolling through all the fun stories, reviews, and useful info!

P.S - Classified is still at the end of the mag!

Fly into JULY

Welcome to the July 2024 issue of Your Local Link. You may have picked up on a sense that the magazine you’re holding is slightly different. As July 2024 marks Your Local Link’s 21st birthday, we’ve decided this was the right month to go up in pages — all the way up to a whopping 80! That means this issue is packed full to the brim of more of what you love, as well as loads of brand-new content.

Why not get started by jumping straight to page 50 where you’ll find more events than ever before, or to page 12 for our Walking Wanderer’s latest hike recommendation.

On to the new stuff — we’ve got interviews with artists like Donna Collis on p16 and amazing local musicians like Benjamin Francis Leftwich on page 59, as well as a deep dive into some of York’s best cultural highlights on page 5861, and so much more!

Whatever the month has in store for you, keep this issue of Your Local Link close to hand — it’s sure to have the event, tradesperson, product, or advice you need.

Until next month,

The YLL Team.

Design & Editorial: Tristan, Sammi, Vincent, Raana & Molly. Accounts: Karen & Lauren. Distribution:

Mim, Sarah, Craig, Mackenzie, Mya & Gini. Contributors: Tony Chalcraft, James Christie, Matt

Call: 01904 767881 Email: info@yourlocallink.co.uk Write to us: Unit 3a Kettlestring

Stay social with us

Our home on the internet, www. yourlocallink.co.uk, is jam-packed with York events, stories you won’t find in the magazine, and free printable walks from our Walking Wanderer. facebook.com/locallinkyork @yourlocallink @LocalLinkYork yourlocallink.co.uk

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This month in History JULY

From Ancient Rome, to glass-ceiling smashing football superstars, this July we’re tracing back our steps to see what York’s historic residents were up to, and up against, in years and centuries past.

2 July 1644 - The Battle of Marston Moor. The turning point of the English Civil War took place at Long Marston, just 7 miles to the West of York’s city centre.

A force of 22,000 Parliamentarian rebels, led by Oliver Cromwell, defeated a Royalist army of 17,000 led by Prince Rupert. It was the Parliamentarians’ first victory over the Royalists in the English Civil War.

6 July 2014 - York hosts stage two of Le Tour de France.

Riders set out from York Racecourse on a 201km route that took them via Howarth, Hebden Bridge, and Huddersfield all the way to Sheffield. The stage was won by Italian rider Vincenzo Nibali, who went on to be that year’s eventual champion.

7 July 1871 - Birth of Seebohm Rowntree, the chairman of Rowntree’s (from 1923-41) and one of the most influential writers on social reform throughout the entire 20th century.

By the time he stood down as chairman, Rowntree’s were the

third largest chocolate and confectionary business in the world, but Seebohm’s legacy has really been determined by his work on eradicating poverty in the city. Papers he wrote in 1899, 1935, and 1951 demonstrated that there were vast numbers of hardworking people in York living below the poverty-line — he used this research to argue for the first-time that the poor were not to blame for their position. He advocated for and helped to achieve better wages, and living conditions for the impoverished in York.

9 July 1984 - York Minster set on fire. The flames caused over £1 million (estimated £4 million when inflation is considered) worth of damage to the iconic 13th century building.

The worst of the damage was done to the South Transept where the roof collapsed. North Yorkshire Fire Brigade confirmed that lightning was the most likely cause, despite rumours of a UFO attack that were doing the rounds!

12 July 1537 - Execution of Robert Aske. The legendary leader of the Pilgrimage of Grace was executed for treason at Clifford’s Tower in July 1537.

At its height, the rebellion —which aimed to halt King Henry VIII’s decision to dissolve the catholic monasteries in the north of England—, saw as many as 40,000 northerners mobilised to march on London by Robert Aske.

25 July 306AD - Constantine proclaimed as Roman Emperor in the city of York, or Eberacum as it was known. Constantine the Great would go on to become one of Rome’s most influential leaders. He was the first Roman Emperor to convert to the Christian faith. He also founded the city of Constantinople (now Istanbul) which he made the capital of the Roman Empire— it remained the capital for the millennium following his death. You’ll see his bronze statue located at the foot of York Minster today.

28 July 2022 - The Lionesses, starring Whitby’s own Beth Mead, win Euro 2022, becoming the first England side to win a major trophy since 1966! Arsenal forward Beth won the golden boot after scoring six goals on the way to the final but it was Chloe Kelly who scored the all-important winning goal in extra-time to defeat Germany in front of a record-breaking crowd of 87,000 at Wembley Stadium.

Email: info@pauldawsonyork.co.uk www.pauldawsonyork.co.uk

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York City F.C. — The summer transfer window so far

With York City’s survival assured back in April all attention at the LNER Community Stadium has now switched to their preparations for the 2024/25 season. The Uggla ownership have set out just as they did last summer — at a rate of knots! Read on for our roundup of all the incomings and outgoings.

OUTGOING

Kai Kennedy — The Scottish winger’s contract has been mutually terminated. He was signed from Scottish giants Rangers F.C. in August last year, and although he made 19 appearances throughout the season the 19-year-old only made one assist. The club said “We wish Kai well in his future endeavours and thank him for his efforts whilst with the Minstermen.”

Sam Sanders — Following 38 appliances across two spells during the last three seasons, the defender has had his contract mutually terminated. He featured 20 times during the 2022/23 season, helping the Minstermen avoid relegation, before heading to Truro City on loan last season.

Finley Barnes — Another signing from last summer, Barnes featured just six times for York City after making his debut from the bench in January. Loan spells away at Darlington and Scarborough Athletic took up most of the creative midfielder's playing season.

INCOMING

Harrison Male — The former Dorking Wanderers goalkeeper was signed upon the expiry of his contract. The 23-year-old is a product of the Leeds United Academy and was Dorking’s Young Player of The Year, Supporters Player of The Year, and Players’ Player of The Year last season.

Joe Felix — The 24-year-old has also been signed after his contract at Worthing expired at the end of May. The club said, “Felix is a versatile player who can play across the righthand flank and at the back, providing real flexibility to Adam Hinshelwood.” He picked up 13 assists and scored three goals in the National League South last season.

Ashley Nathaniel-George — Nathaniel-George started his career in the Arsenal youth academy but will soon ply his trade for the Minstermen after joining from Maidenhead United on a Bosman transfer. Having played for Antigua and Barbuda several times, the 28-year-old will be the latest international star to play for York City F.C.

Ollie Pearce — York City F.C have bolstered their attacking ranks with the signing of the National League South golden boot winner! He scored 46 goals in 51 appearances across all competitions last month so will be a massively welcome addition to Adam Hinshelwood’s squad.

Tyrese Sinclair — Sinclair scored five goals in just eleven appearances in the National League for 4th placed finishers Altrincham while on loan from Rochdale last season. The 23-year-old forward has experience playing in League Two as well as in the Blackburn Rovers Academy.

EURO 2024!

North Yorkshire at the Paris Olympics

Although we know it as a matter of fact that Yorkshire’s own athletes are the greatest around (back in 2012 only eleven full nations picked up more medals than our little county after all!) there does come a time when you have to back up that reputation with silverware.

We’re lucky that the Paris Olympics are now just a few short weeks away. They’ll provide another chance to prove that nobody does it like us lot.

We’ve put together a list of the locals you ought to keep your eye on as they compete for medals this summer.

Scott Lincoln — Shot Putt

Scott is from just outside York, up in Northallerton, where, until he qualified for the Tokyo Olympics, he worked as a bricklayer for his dad’s bricklaying company — all whilst training and competing for the City of York Athletics Club. He’s since won bronze medals at the European and Commonwealth games.

James Wilby — Breaststroke

James may have been born in Glasgow, but his swimming journey began in our great city as a member of the York City Baths Swimming Club. He made his name at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, where he won silver as part of the 4x100 medley team alongside Adam Peaty. He will aim to go one further and get the gold as he takes on the 50,100, and 200m breaststroke events and the medley relay.

Marc Scott — Long Distance Running

Another Northallerton local, Marc is a gold medal winner in the 3000m at World Indoor Athletics Championship in 2022 and became the first British runner to beat Mo Farah in the 10,000m in almost a decade. If he qualifies, try and keep an eye out as he chases medals in the 10,000 and 5,000 this summer.

Jack Laugher – Diving

Harrogate-born Jack is one of the most decorated British Olympic divers of all time, becoming the first (alongside teammate Chris Mears) British diver to win a gold medal at the Rio games in 2016. He’s sure to be high-up the medal boards this summer as he takes on the 3-metre synchro.

When the games do start up, make sure to visit www.yourlocallink.co.uk for all the latest updates.

• Serving fine italian fresh coffee.

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• Karaoke, live bands.

Happy hours. Cocktails offer (2 for £14), all day every day.

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• EUROS 2024

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WIN A BOUQUET!

In association with: 5 Wyre Court, Haxby. Tel. 01904 768439.

Fancy winning a beautiful bouquet of flowers, courtesy of Dutch Nurseries in Haxby?

Simply find all 10 words in our EURO themed wordsearch!

Send your completed puzzle, marked ‘July Puzzle Competition’ along with your address and telephone number to Unit 3a Kettlestring Lane, Clifton Moor, York, YO30 4XF, to reach us no later than 31st of July 2024. The first entry picked out of the hat will win the prize. Good luck!

WIN: TWO TICKETS

TO THE 39 STEPS

Everyone’s favourite classic spy thriller is on its way to Grand Opera House York this month. After nearly 10 years in London’s West End, a stage adaptation of Alfred Hitchcock’s iconic novel is headed up north! They’re giving away two tickets for the show on Friday the 26th of July.

For your chance to win, just answer this question.

Who wrote the novel The 39 Steps is based on?

A. Ian Fleming

B. Anthony Hopkins

C. Alfred Hitchcock

Send your answer (along with your name, address, email address, and daytime contact number) on a postcard marked “Grand Opera House” to the address on page six or competitions@yourlocallink.co.uk. The closing date is Friday the 19h of July. Terms and conditions apply.

An experience for two at the Potions

Cauldron

WIN: AN EXPERIENCE FOR TWO AT THE POTIONS CAULDRON

For (18+) grown-ups only

The Potions Cauldron is based on 9 ¾ Shambles York where the first known potion maker Phileas Fry came to York in 1335 to help the sick and needy. Fast forward over 600 years and now the magical apothecary is open daily selling potions and other magical gifts and souvenirs.

Two of our lucky readers will get to experience it for free! The prize

includes a welcome tipple, two of their magical potions, and a chance to see the magic of their Secret Potion Room!

All you need to be in with a chance of winning is answer this question

On which street is the Potions Cauldron located?

A. The Mount

B. The Shambles

C. Micklegate

Send your answer (along with your name, address, email address, and daytime contact number) on a postcard marked ‘POTIONS Competition’ to the address on page six or competitions@yourlocallink. co.uk. The closing date is Friday 19th July. Terms and conditions apply.

WIN: TWO FREE TICKETS TO OPEN AIR THEATRE SHOW THE GONDOLIERS

This July Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate will be hosting a visit from renowned theatre company Illyria in their beautiful Secret Garden open air theatre.

The Gondoliers is a light-hearted operetta set in a world of blissful romance, barbed satire and comedic chaos. Will love be able to triumph?

Gilbert’s witty lyrics and Sullivan’s catchy melodies are expertly brought to life by Illyria, who have captivated audiences for over thirty years.

Incredibly we have two free tickets to the show on the 11th of July to give away.

All you need to do to be in with a chance of winning is answer this question.

What is the name of the character with the witty lyrics?

A. Sullivan

B. Gilbert

C. Fred

Send your answer (along with your name, address, email address, and daytime contact number) on a postcard marked ‘The Gondoliers’ to the address on page six or competitions@yourlocallink.co.uk. The closing date is Friday 5th July. Terms and conditions apply.

YORK’S LEADING PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS

WALKING WITH THE WANDERER

Sheriff Hutton & Terrington

Time: 3½ hours Distance: 71/4 miles

This is a walk with several options. The recommended full route starts at Sheriff Hutton and continues to Terrington where there are refreshment opportunities. However, it is possible to shorten the walk by about a mile if the leg into Terrington is omitted. Another option is to start at Terrington and either do the full walk or leave out visiting Sheriff Hutton, an option that’ll shorten the route by about a mile and a half.

IS THIS WALK FOR ME

A longish walk, this route also has a few climbs, most are short but two are quite steep. Mainly over farmland — including through fields in which cattle and horses may be grazing— the walk has few stiles and is generally well waymarked.

DIRECTIONS

GETTING THERE

The recommended starting point is

The Green in Sheriff Hutton, where roadside parking is available. Bus 81 provides a limited service to Sheriff Hutton (not Sundays). Alight at Main Street and walk ahead to The Green. If starting from Terrington park near the Village Store on Main Street. There is no viable public transport option to Terrington.

1/ From The Green in Sheriff Hutton continue ahead along the street (dead end sign). Where this divides, keep left (downslope). At Peckitt’s Close go ahead to a wooden gate. Through this, turn left on the fenced path to a stile. Cross and continue in the same direction over the field to a stile at the road.

2/ Follow the verge right for 40 metres, then cross and take a track on the left. In about 100 metres do not go through gates ahead but turn right beside other gates along the edge of a large field with a hedge right. Continue to cross a wooden bridge to arrive at the end of the field and a track.

3/ Go ahead over the ditch and walk straight across the field towards the left edge of the trees. Reaching these, go half-left up the bank as signed. Now continue with the steep treed bank to the left for about 400 metres. Nearing the wood’s corner you will reach a footpath junction. Here, turn half-right over the field to find a way into the wood. Follow the obvious path through the trees. On leaving these, continue passing an overgrown pond then keep right to reach the end of the dead-end road at High Sittenham.

4/ Keep ahead at the path junction, following the Centenary Way sign to pass to the right of houses. On reaching a gate follow the rough track over the grass. Where this splits, go left keeping near the wood edge to a further gate. After this, keep to the hedge to the right (ignore a tempting gate right though) downhill to cross a substantial bridge. Continue uphill with a hedge right. Where this ends, go right as signed through a metal gate with a hedge left. Soon reach another gate, after which turn left alongside a hedge. Continue ahead, merging onto a track coming in from the right.

5/ At farm buildings turn left on the track, which becomes tarmacked and heads uphill. Now remain on this quiet tarmac track for over a mile ignoring all paths off to the right and left to reach Terrington. On entering the village

REFRESHMENTS

The Highwayman Inn at Sheriff Hutton is open daily except Monday. The café at Terrington Village Store is open every day (closes 4pm Sunday).

keep ahead at a crossroads then fork left to find the stores/tearoom. If not continuing to Terrington look for the permissive path sign as in Direction Point 6 below. To return from Terrington retrace your steps passing the cemetery to the right. Soon after, either take the signed Ebor Way path right across the horse pasture or continue for 100 metres to a permissive path.

6/ At the easily missed permissive path sign on the right (this will be on the left if not returning from Terrington) walk to the brow of the hill with a hedge right. Turn left, go through two gates then enter woodland. After a short distance turn right. Ignore a track heading downhill, instead taking the signed path just beyond it also going downhill but into the trees. This soon arrives at a wooden gate leading to a concrete track. Follow this right downhill. At the bottom keep right of the first house and left of the second to find a gate into a horse field (footpath sign).

7/ Go over the field to a small gate. Continue in the next field with a hedge left. At the field end turn left, but in about 100 metres turn right, crossing the deep ditch and going through a gate. Now walk ahead with a hedge left. Where this ends, keep in the same

direction to go through a further gate and over a ditch. Remain ahead

WHAT TO SEE

Sheriff Hutton has much of interest including the ancient church and remnants of a castle. Terrington is a quiet, unspoilt village set on a hill. In-between is a mix of farmland and woodland broken by several, mostly wooded, hills.

on the rough track with a ditch left. Eventually the track becomes partially hedged and leads to the outward route from Sheriff Hutton at Direction Point 3. to return to Sheriff Hutton go right retracing your steps through Direction Point 2 then 1. If returning to Terrington turn left over the bridge continuing from Direction Point 3.

DISCLAIMER Walks are undertaken at your own risk. Due care must be taken in following the walk, particularly after poor weather. Whilst every care is taken in compiling the description changes may have occurred since publication. Neither the walk author nor Your Local Link can accept any responsibility for errors or omissions.

WINDOWS • DOORS • CONSERVATORIES

Leasehold Reform

Toby Conyers-Kelly

One of the last acts of the Government was on 24 May 2024 to pass the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 that makes significant changes to the ownership of leasehold properties. The Act is not yet in force, so the current leasehold law remains in effect.

When brought into force the Act will:

• Make it cheaper for most leaseholders to extend their lease or purchase the freehold.

• Ban the sale of new leasehold houses other than in limited circumstances.

• Increase the standard lease extension term to 990 years (up from 90 years for flats and 50 years for houses).

• Remove the requirement that the leaseholder will pay the freeholder’s costs.

• Make it easier and cheaper for leaseholders to take over the management of their building, allowing them to appoint the managing agent of their choice.

• Give leaseholders greater transparency over their service charges by making freeholders or managing agents issue bills in a standardised format plus a requirement to produce a year-end report with details of planned major works.

• By requiring freeholders that manage their building directly to belong to a redress scheme so leaseholders can challenge poor practice.

• Remove the presumption that leaseholders pay their freeholders’ legal costs when challenging poor practice. This currently acts as a deterrent when leaseholders want to challenge their service charges.

• Making buying or selling a leasehold property quicker and easier by setting a maximum time and fee for home buying and selling information to be provided.

• Remove the current 2-year ownership requirement before a lease extension can be applied for.

• Introduce a new legal right to buy out the ground rent without extending the lease at the same time, which will assist leaseholders who have existing leases with escalating ground clauses.

Our expert team of lawyers are on hand to help if you need further advice or guidance.

Contact Toby Conyers-Kelly on 01904 528223.

The above is not intended to provide advice.

Earnshaw

Local artist

DONNA COLLIS

This month we sat down with one of York’s best established working artists to learn all about the new exhibition she’s putting on at the Cityscreen Cafe Bar later this summer.

"Memories" features a fantastic collection of vibrant impressions from some of North Yorkshire’s most iconic landscapes, including Whitby, Robin Hood’s Bay, the moors, and more.

The exhibition has been dedicated to her father Jim Collis, who passed away from Dementia this January.

We discuss her artwork, and style, and how it’s developed in the 13 pieces she’s created since his passing.

Could you tell us a bit about how you became an artist.

I started oil painting when I was about 11— I had watched the film, Lust for Life, with Vincent van Gogh in when I was a child, with Kirk Douglas, and I remember my mum saying, you know, “what do you want this year for Christmas?” and me saying “some oil paints, please and an easel !” And that was me. I was off.

I went to study graphic design when I was about 27. I realized that wasn't for me, wished I’d done Fine Art, and then I had a long sort of gap of not painting and I started painting again in 2015, and I haven't stopped since.

How would you describe your artistic style? I tend to paint from the subconscious mind. The recent work that I'm doing, for the “Memories” art exhibition that's coming up at the end of July is based on local scenes that I visited with my dad who died at the end of January. My earlier stuff had a lot of imagination to it. But now I'm trying to recreate things that my dad couldn't remember anymore.

It’s a little bit like realism, what I'm doing at the moment, but putting my own colours, my own clouds in and then just losing myself in the painting.

We've all got these memories and sometimes something just has to touch that memory and then you’re back there.

What is the theme of your exhibition? It's my childhood memories of spending

time with my dad, and his passion for North Yorkshire, and the Northeast Yorkshire coast.

It's happy memories. It was sad to see him at that final phase of [dementia] — not knowing who we were, not being able to talk and just sat there. I would always say “Oh, do you remember when we did this Dad?”, You could always get a recognition out of his eyes as soon as you mentioned Whitby.

How have those memories of your Dad influenced this new collection? When I’m painting, I’m thinking about my Dad all the time. He was keen on fishing and anything to do with Whitby, like eating muscles on the pier, or taking me out fishing when I was 11/12 with a little bamboo fishing rod, because he was born there. There are 15 paintings that have gone on display that I've done since my dad died. So I've been working quite hard and it's probably helped with the grief.

I understand that some of the money you raise during the exhibition will be going to charity, is that correct?

Yeah 20% will be going to Dementia Forward. And that's going to be for the entire time that the exhibition is on, which is from the 28th of July until the 24th of August. So, anything that I sell on the day, any paintings that I sell. Merchandise. Anything that I sell online — 20% is going to go to them.

It's a local charity— Dementia Forward who help people in the area. Any money I feel that I raise for this charity is going to actually impact people's lives directly. They actually did help my dad. They came out and they talked

and so the support was there. My dad was very focused on local things. He was very focused on his cricket and football, raising money for raffles etc.

I'm still surprised how many shops I walk in and I'm going for a refund for something, and they asked me my name and they said, oh, do you know Jim Collis? Oh, you know, he was just so well known. He was larger than life really and he knew a lot of people.

What’s one piece of advice you could give to an up-and-coming artist?

The passion's got to be there, a certain amount of dedication, even if it's just doodling and just looking at something and just putting the time aside and not being worried about making the mark. Be experimental. Just do something simple and let yourself go — enjoy what you're doing and don't worry about the results. That would be my best advice.

If your artwork could have one impact on the people who go to the exhibition, what would it be?

I think really my as far as I'm concerned if I'm sat there and someone comes in and says I love that — that “I remember going there and doing that” If they've got an emotion from looking at that picture. It's just made my day. I'm not bothered whether you buy a greeting card or anything. If someone goes away and they've got a smile on their face and think, oh, well, I remember when I did this. Because they're all local, I think everyone can relate to maybe at least one of the paintings.

You can meet Donna in the Cafe Bar at Cityscreen from 7.30pm on the 28th of July, where you can buy greeting cards, prints, or one of her calendars. An exhibition of her ‘Memories’ collection will be displayed at Cityscreen from that opening night on the 28th of July until the 24th of August.

Trip Down Memory Lane (Robin Hoods Bay)

JOIN THE CLUB

July is here! Make the most of the summer sun and the longer days by getting out and finding a new community. York is packed to the brim full of fun clubs and associations, just read on to find the one for you.

YORK ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY

For all the stargazers amongst us, membership of this society is the perfect way to develop your passion for astronomy. Joining up will invite you into a rich community— where you’ll receive advice from fellow enthusiasts, discounted entry to public meetings and access to the society’s telescopes and equipment at the Battle Bank Farm observatory. Head to www.yorkastro.org.uk.

MAKE SPACE FOR GIRLS

Summer 2024 programme includes over 30 free activities for girls across York’s parks. These include sports, exercise, the arts, crafts, nature-based sessions, health and wellbeing and much more! Head to www.rowntreepark. org.uk for more details.

SOCIAL YORKIES

Run by its members, Social Yorkies are a varied and friendly local group who regularly organise a large variety of activities including walks, meals out, pub quizzes, and much more. The club is easy

to join, safe, and welcoming to all singles, couples, locals, and anyone who is new to the area too!

If you want to see if it’s for you before committing to an annual membership, you can go along to a couple of the events and activities. Membership for a month costs £5, and the annual subscription costs £20. To find out more, email enquiries@yorkivc. club or visit the website www. yorkivc.club.

BEGINNER PICKLEBALL

Go along from 3-4.30pm every Saturday to try out a new sport at York St John University on Haxby Road. All equipment will be provided but it does cost £4 per person. Head to www. pickleballyork.co.uk for more information.

VOLUNTEER FOR BRITISH HEART FOUNDATION

Whether you decide to help out at one of York’s four local BHF shops, as part of an event action team, or just by putting in a few hours per week at your workplace;

what is sure is that you’ll make a real lasting difference in your community. You will meet new people, share and learn skills, all whilst helping to fund lifesaving research.

Pop into your local York store today, call 01904 563 127, or visit www.bhf.org.uk/volunteer to get started.

POPPLETON SCOUTS

Explore our area like never before and pick up some vital life skills along the way. Poppleton has two groups — one is an Explorer unit for boys and girls aged 14-17 and one is a Scout troop (for boys and girls age 10-14). Visit www. poppletonscouts.co.uk.

HEWORTH RETIRED MEN’S GROUP

This friendly social group meets fortnightly on Tuesdays. Anyone can join, whether or not you live in Heworth! A brilliant chance to make new friends, and experience talks from excellent speakers on a wide range of topics, along with refreshments. Call 07517661872 for more information.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re looking for a new pastime or building the tools to take on a new professional field, York Learning is the ideal starting place. They have a fantastic team of career advisers who will offer you all the advice you need on discovering the option for you.

Once you’re ready, you can enrol on a course to learn how to do anything from accounting to the crafting of your own felt cocktail hat, their only mission is to inspire attendees to learn, explore and achieve in whatever they choose to take on!

Included with your July issue of Your Local Link is Learning for Everyone’s latest brochure. You’ll find everything you need to know about their course options inside! Call 01904 554277 if you have any questions.

BY ASTROLOGIST

Horoscopes James Christie

STAR SIGN OF THE MONTH: CANCER

CANCER 21ST JUN – 22ND JUL

July should be a fairly good month – one or two nice surprises, especially on the work scene. However, there’s a lot going on in connection with self-image and mid-to-long term life plans. You must realize that before you can get what you want, you must first be able to define exactly what that is – and after you’ve done that, recognise that there needs to be some change in either your tactics or your attitude, or indeed, both!

LEO 23RD JUL – 22ND AUG

There seems to be a lot of negativity going on around you, with other people in conflict or crisis. A younger male causes concern and disappointment and young lovers are at war. It is very important that you maintain some degree of distance from these situations and let those other people slog it out without any direct involvement from you.

VIRGO 23RD AUG – 22ND SEPT

July should be a dreamy reflective kind of month, and it will probably be a calm and tranquil time… Some of you will say “Boring! Boring!” but in trying to rock boats or speed up natural timetables, you’ll simply cause yourself more mental grief than is necessary. If you’ve got time on your hands, concentrate on study, learning and education.

LIBRA 23RD SEPT – 22ND OCT

July brings a new sense of confidence and there are some very good money-making ideas in the wind. Do your homework and research and don’t be impatient –and acorns planted in July should be growing into oak trees by Christmas. July is a healing month for painful memories and hurtful affairs of the heart.

SCORPIO 23RD OCT – 21ST NOV

July is all about love, but different kinds of love for different people. Youngsters hold hands and exchange chaste kisses. Young adults re-write the Kama Sutra on hot steamy nights, and elderly folk enjoy the warmth of love that comes from friendship and respect and companionship. July brings a burst of new romantic energy across the board!

SAGITTARIUS 22ND NOV – 21ST DEC

Young Sagittarians may find they have a choice to make between two male suitors. Great on TV or in the movies, but in real life this situation can really suck! Sagittarian parents will find themselves disagreeing on what’s best for their children. Either way, the “children” will have ideas and agendas of their own, which will not be popular.

CAPRICORN 22ND DEC –19TH JAN

They say that pride comes before a fall, and certainly pride can get in the way of common sense. Your pride may cause you a few problems this month, especially if you insist on measuring other people by your own (very high) standards. Keep

your critical streak in check and follow a “live and let live” attitude for a much calmer passage.

AQUARIUS 2OTH JAN - 18TH FEB

You start the month with Julius Caesar syndrome – infamy, infamy, everyone has got it in for me – but by the 11th or 12th this energy passes as a partner goes to great lengths to offer support and understanding. The 19th/20th could be a time for important anniversaries, or events occurring which become anniversaries in the future.

PISCES 19TH FEB – 20TH MAR

Career girls have a splendid month, while working mums have to work a bit harder at getting the work/family balance right. Piscesian parents may need to take a firmer line with their offspring – you cannot demand love but you can demand respect – and gentlemen of the sign should learn valuable lessons about diplomacy around the 15th.

ARIES 21ST MAR – 19TH APR

A time of secrets – some of them sexy, all of them interesting! There’s a lot going on behind your back, and you’re very much in an admirer’s thoughts. First moves,

however, are definitely up to you. Even if someone is coming on to you just “as a friend”, believe me, they have secret agendas and desires.

TAURUS 20TH APR – 20TH MAY

A month of working on specific projects and for keeping your nose to the grindstone. Some of you will be working to selfimposed deadlines, and all of you will be on the receiving end of sound professional advice from people who want you to succeed. Decisions that you made in the Spring are now proven to be the right ones.

GEMINI 21ST MAY – 20TH JUN

Gentlemen of the sign may feel resentful when a person close to them tries to rain on their parade… Keep going fellas! Females have a much better month, but if you’re nibbling at any kind of forbidden fruit, well, just watch out for the pips!

Haunted York A Story... By Vincent Danks

It has often been said, and indeed written, that York is the most haunted city in Europe. Although a totally unverifiable and suspiciously marketing-friendly claim (it was made by TV presenter Jason Karl when president of the The Ghost Research Foundation) I have become less inclined to disregard its authenticity after experiencing a surprisingly consistent response to my shameless promoting of Haunted York, a guide to the best known (and some not so well known) ghost stories from York (with maps!).

The response almost invariably begins with 'oh, I've seen a ghost...' Once my initial surprise has abated a subsequent pressing for further details (a follow up publication never far from my thoughts) usually betrays a less dramatic source for the claim and the tale is often relegated to the ‘I heard a strange noise' or ‘the room went cold' collection of anecdotes that are filed away and forgotten about.

That being said, the stories are often compelling and one can’t help being left with the feeling that there really are an awful lot of ghosts in York. Such as the gentleman that an acquaintance of mine witnessed approaching her along a platform at York Station. Observing that he was dressed in unusually old fashioned attire she watched him as he descended the stairs leading to the other platforms. Intrigued, she followed him down and was confronted with a completely empty tunnel.

There is also the encounter by Julie Calpin of a ghost who is well known to the story-tellers plying their trade on the

streets of York and is named Marmaduke Buckle. The sad tale of the handicapped Marmaduke is outlined in the Haunted York book, but Julie’s experience adds some new and corroborating details to the story.

During the final years of the 1960s the house that Marmaduke once lived in was the Minster Cafe (it’s now the Italian restaurant La Piazza) and Julie was just a child. Her mother ran the the cafe and would take Julie to work, often leaving her in one of the attic rooms with a porcelain tea set so Julie could amuse herself while she worked in the office above the cafe. Frequently hearing Julie laughing and talking, her mother enquired one day as to who she was talking to. ‘His name’s Marmaduke’ Julie replied, I make him cups of tea and feed him cake’. Being an adult, Julie’s mum put this down to the vivid imagination of a child, however, despite her mum’s dismissive attitude, Julie remembers seeing a small boy, always in the same place of the room and never returning the happy chatter of his new companion. Julie also remembers a curious feature of her many encounters with the child: she could only see him from the waist up.

A postscript to the story concerns a photograph taken much more recently by Julie’s son. Although Julie now lives in the country, they were in York for the day and decided to snap the upper part of the old building where Julie had her ghostly experience. Although no evidence of the upper rooms being occupied could be seen at the time, when the photograph was viewed later a figure could clearly be seen in one of the attic room windows.

One of the oldest stories I came across while researching the book was that of Green Jenny, a former serving girl working at an inn located along Walmgate. Now named the Watergate Inn, the apparition has not been seen since the 18th century and it may be that she was only seen the once.

Prior to the passing of the Cruelty to Animals Act in 1835 the inn contained a gated room with an earth floor that was used for blood sports. As such, it was an unnerving site for the ostler employed at the inn to witness a woman in a vivid green dress standing on the stairs that led to what would have been an exclusively male domain. His unnerved state was then compounded by the realisation that the woman was not, as he had at first assumed, the innkeeper’s wife, but Jenny, who had recently died.

Suitably inspired by the story, I created a piece of artwork using some relevant collage materials and a graphite portrait.

In addition to a growing awareness of just how prolific the ghosts of York are there is one character, well know in both history and legend who is not only alarmingly ubiquitous when it comes to ghost related matters but has also been seen and heard in multiple locations. Who Dick Turpin was undoubtedly needs no explanation, but his finest spectral moments are associated with St George’s Field, where he has been witnessed by several unnerved witnesses over the years galloping in a suitably dramatic fashion aboard his noble steed, Black Bess with tricorn hat unruffled and long, black cape billowing behind.

Conversely, the equally well known and commensurably notorious Guy Fawkes appears surprisingly absent from sightings. Despite being born in a building that is now the suitably named Guy Fawkes Inn and being baptised over the road in St Michael le Belfrey, both buildings almost continually occupied by both public and staff, the man himself has been conspicuous by his lack of materialisation.

However, although Fawkes has stubbornly refused to make an appearance, the pop star Michael Jackson, as if by some token of consolation (and an inability

to stay away from cameras, despite no longer being alive) was claimed to have been filmed within the Guy Fawkes Inn by the paranormal investigation group Ghostcircle.

A short stroll from the Guy Fawkes Inn will take you to the Dean Court Hotel, where a companion story to Harry Martindale’s famous sighting of the Roman Legionnaires in the Treasurer’s House awaits those who dare to keep watch in its corridors. Although the sighting invariably constitutes a lone soldier, the fact that the old Roman road that runs from the Guildhall to the Minster traverses the Hotel’s foundations leads one to speculate that it may be a number of different apparitions. Or perhaps it is just the one spirit, apparently having been doomed to wander the road for the past two thousand years.

As well as being a crucial member of the Your Local Link design team, Vincent Danks is also the author of Haunted York - a collection of York’s greatest classic ghost stories, as well as some of the lesser known. You can pick up a copy today from all good book shops in York or direct from Hallsgrove Publishing.

Reclaim Your Time with Crux & Co.

Feeling like a one-person circus? You're not alone. Small business owners and busy professionals wear countless hats – CEO, marketer, salesperson, sometimes even cleaner! Someone who understands this struggle all too well is Lucy Crux.

After a successful decade as a project manager, she embarked on a BA in Business Management, mastering the art of juggling studies with three part-time jobs (talk about time management!). This thirst for knowledge led her to a rewarding career change – teaching. While she loved her time in the classroom, the entrepreneurial spirit within her craved a new challenge – one that offered freedom, flexibility, and a

Lucy took a friend's suggestion coaching, however, with a vast skillset, she recognised a gap in the market beyond traditional coaching. So, Crux & Co. was born, offering a unique blend of virtual assistance and remote business

PENLIFE ASSOCIATES

WIN AWARD FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE IN YORKSHIRE

They picked up the prize for the best Customer Service in the whole county at Leeds’ New Dock Hall on Friday the 3rd of May.

Here's the magic: Crux & Co. doesn't just suggest what you could do, they do it for you. From scheduling appointments and managing inboxes to crafting content and tracking projects, they tackle the everyday tasks that steal your precious time.

But it doesn't stop there. They also work alongside you, optimising processes, procedures, and strategies to propel your business forward.

This comprehensive approach makes Crux & Co. your secret weapon. Let them help you ditch the one-person show and reclaim your day.

Contact Crux & Co. today and take back control of your business and your life.

Lucy@cruxandco.co.uk 07448 961642 www.cruxandco.co.uk

JULY Business Diary

There’s a packed programme of business and networking events in and around York this month, featuring specialist talks, cutting-edge masterclasses, and informal meet-ups —read on and take your pick.

27 June, 9.30-10.30am, MARKETING STRATEGY AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

WEBINAR. World leading tech company Google are partnering with the city council to this one-hour short course on how to use AI (Artificial Intelligence) to improve your marketing strategy. You’ll have to book your ticket from Eventbrite ahead of attending.

9 July, 10am-12.30pm, The Priory Centre, York. BREAKING BARRIERS: EMPOWERING INCLUSIVE EMPLOYABILITY. A chance to collaborate, learn how to make employment in York more accessible. There will be talks from the local businesses that are already dedicated to employing their staff with an inclusive mindset. It’s a great chance to see how you can make more of a difference.

12 July, 9.30am-12pm, Balcony Sports Bar, Harrogate, SIXSTEPS TO A BETTER BUSINESS.

Judges chose PenLife due to their “unwavering commitment to personalised customer care.”

PenLife have been operating in our city since 1984, offering all sorts of financial services for their thousands of clients, helping them to achieve and maintain the lifestyle they choose, no matter what happens.

The accolade was accepted on behalf of the PenLife team by Director, Nina Wright, and Marketing Coordinator, Carolyn Myers.

Expressing her delight at the win, Mrs. Wright, said, “We are thrilled to receive this regional award, acknowledging each member of our team for their contribution to delivering exceptional customer service.

we take great pride in being an integral part of this vibrant community.”

The Chair of the judging panel, Hannah Daniel, added to these glowing remarks when addressing the night’s winners as a whole.

She said, “The level of ambition and dedication to providing good outcomes for clients was evident in your entries.

“You really are a credit to the Yorkshire Financial Services industry, which now represents 9% of the Yorkshire economy and is growing. It is fantastic to see the high quality of practitioners in the region and I am very proud to be part of it.”

If you’d like to learn more about PenLife or speak to one of their team head to www.pen-life.co.uk.

A free morning session of business coaching, packed with marketing concepts, profit building systems, time management techniques and team building strategies, ran by a careers coach.

16 July, 9.30am-2pm, The Hospitium, York, GOOGLE DIGITAL GARAGE TRAINING DAY. A day made up of three free courses on how to effectively employ artificial intelligence and data analysis in your business. There will also be opportunities for 1-1 mentoring from the Google Digital Garage team.

18 July, 9:30-11am, In Business Networking, The Grand Hotel FACE-TO-FACE NETWORKING. A relaxed and informal networking event — there’s no pressure to give a 60-second pitch or make referrals, just go along and meet other local business owners. For all the latest business news in York head to www.yourlocallink.co.uk.

Execu

toy

The best office and executive toys to keep on your desk.

MY DESKTOP SOLAR SYSTEM, £9.90 from Amazon and Brainstorm.

Bring the wonder of the solar system to your workspace! This does what it says on the tin, it’s an easy-to-assemble rotating planetarium, so you can spend a minute between emails pondering your place in the universe.

DESKTOP AIR PURIFIER, £69.99 from www. towerhousewares.co.uk.

This is ideal for anyone who works virtually as it comes with different mood lighting options and sleep modes, so you can keep it running 24/7 .

By Soyfur Rahman, Chartered Financial Planner

Grievances

Senior Chartered Legal Executive, Alexander Millward, from Bridge Employment Law, answers your questions on grievances.

What is a grievance?

Grievances are raised when an employee has a problem or complaint that they wish to raise with their employer.

How do employees raise a grievance?

Grievances can be raised verbally or in writing so it’s important that your staff are trained to recognise them when they arise.

How do we handle a grievance?

If I had to give you a single word, it would be: reasonably.

There should be an initial review of whether the grievance needs to be dealt with informally or formally. This can usually be determined from the grievance itself and/or a brief chat with the individual.

In either circumstance, reaching for your organisation’s grievance policy is a must. If your organisation does not have one, then you should be reaching for the ACAS Code on disciplinary and grievance procedures –that is the bare minimum that you must follow

If the grievance does need to be handled formally, there should be some form of investigation, discussion with the individual to clarify any points and then a meeting to provide the outcome (i.e. whether their grievance is upheld or not) with the right of appeal.

What are your top tips for grievances?

1. Don’t let it mushroom. Narrow the issues from the outset with the individual, for example: what is background information and what are their actual grievances?

2. Who are your players? Look at the grievance, if they have named specific individuals, they must be witnesses and should not be part of the decision-making process of the grievance, to ensure fairness.

3. Are reasonable adjustments necessary? This will apply where the individual has a disability under the Equality Act 2010 and will apply to the whole of the process, from notification of meetings, to the way the meeting is held to timescales to appeal the decision.

4. Train your staff. It is worth training your staff on how to handle grievances so that when they land, you don’t have to worry about the next question.

What happens if we get it wrong?

Grievances are a delicate balancing exercise to get right and that is why they must be handled reasonably. Getting them wrong could lead to claims as there is an implied duty to provide redress to grievances. Failure to comply with this and/or handle it poorly may result in various claims, including but not limited to constructive unfair dismissal.

Do you help organisations with grievances?

Absolutely, whether it’s drafting grievance policies all the way to helping with complicated, ongoing grievances, we’re here to support your business. For a free review of your grievance policy, email me at Alex@ bridgeehr.co.uk and ensure that you mention the code: Your Local Link.

Please note: this article is for general information only and does not constitute advice on any particular or specific circumstances. This information is correct at the time of issuing it. Bridge Employment Law would be delighted to discuss your specific issues or questions with you.

Car shows and auto-fairs this juLY

York’s fairs are guaranteed to have that part you’re missing!

6th July, 11.30am-3pm — Classic Car Lunch, The Punch Bowl Inn, Marton-cumGrafton.

Go along, whether you have a classic car yourself, or you just want to look at the display of cars, and have a chat and a lunch with the best bunch of classic car enthusiasts around!

20th July, 10am-4pm — Wetherby Classic Car Show, Grange Park Sports Club, Old Boston Road, Wetherby. With space for over 300 cars, this brand new event is open to both clubs and individuals to show off their machines!

28th July, 10am-5pm — Ripon Classic Car Gathering, Ripon Racecourse, HG4 1UG.

Go along to see loads of classic & vintage cars, motorcycles, commercial & military vehicles and trade stands. For the less keen petrolheads, there will also be a whole host of other attractions to keep all of the family happy including a children’s play area and even a children’s entertainer!

9th - 11th August,12-6pm — VW Festival, Harewood House, Sandy Gate, Leeds. A full weekend of live entertainment, live music, VWs galore at a great venue with a laid back atmosphere.

GADGETGUIDE

This July at Your Local Link we’re all about celebrating the arrival of Summer in style, so welcome to our biggest gadget guide in forever! We’ve got products for everyone, no matter your plans this month— whether you’ve got a camping trip planned, are headed to the beach, to a festival, or are planning a BBQ in your backyard, there’s guaranteed to be something for you here! Read on to find the one for you.

STUDIO CREATOR 360 DEGREE VIDEO MAKER KIT, £39.99, available from Amazon and Smyths Toys

In the age of TikTok, Instagram and YouTube, your transformation into the world’s next viral superstar may just be around the corner. The only real obstacle is that it can be brutally expensive to buy all the filming kit. This is where Canal Toys’ Studio Creator comes in, within its compact package there’s a green screen, tripod, a colour LED ring light, and most excitingly — a motion detecting 360˚ device. This tracks your movement around the room. Say goodbye to shaky cameras and hello to your future as a social media superstar. Result!

EDIFER MP230 PORTABLE BLUETOOTH SPEAKER, £94.99 from Amazon. This super-stylish speaker is the perfect marriage of modern and classic, combining Edifer’s reputation for brilliant sound quality with a vintage-radio design that looks like a retro relic from the 1st half of the 20th century, making it the perfect addition to any coffee table.

LAURA ASHELY CHINA ROSE PORTABLE SMOOTHIE MAKER, £39.99 from myvq.co.uk and Amazon. This might be the most stylishly decorated smoothie maker we’ve ever laid our eyes upon! It makes for a brilliant addition to any kitchen counter top, especially if you’ve got a white or blue design theme going! The Smoothie Maker has a built-in rechargeable battery that charges fully in 3.5-4 hours via a USB cable so you can enjoy and make smoothies anywhere you go!

IWALK PORTABLE PHONE CHARGER, £31.99 from Amazon.

Chances are while you’re away on holiday this month you’ll want to be out and about sightseeing allday, with access to Google Maps, and Google Translate, without having to worry about your battery running low. That’s where the iWalk comes in, it’s a lipstick-sized portable and completely wireless charger, weighing just 90 grams, that’ll fit right in any pocket without you even knowing its there!

VANGO KRAKEN OVERSIZED FOLDING CHAIR, £49.99 from Outdoor World Direct Compromise on comfort around the campfire no longer! This oversized folding chair by Vango is strong, durable and built to last. The padded seat and backrest offer extra comfort and it folds down to a small pack with a carry handle so it can easily fit in the boot of a car.

SKULLCANDY ECOBUDS, £29.99 from www.skullcandy.co.uk

Listen away to whatever turns out to be the sound of the summer without having to worry too much about your impact on the planet with these new Skullcandy earbuds. Skullcandy have achieved a 50% reduction in Skullcandy’s carbon footprint and yet the buds still look (and sound) as good as ever before!

STEALTH LIGHT-UP GAMING MICROPHONE, £34.99 from Argos

The beginning of your story as the word’s biggest influencer may only be a step away, this compact noicefocusing mic might be all you need to take your video and recording game to the next level. It’s designed to ensure your voice, or whoever you may be interviewing, will take centre stage. And, with the mood lighting it looks pretty stylish too!

CAMPINGAZ 400-SG SERIES TWO BURNER STOVE & GRID, £54.99 from Outdoor World Direct

Don’t compromise on great cooking during your next festival or camping trip! This grill features two removable grids, which when in place can be used for grilling and toasting, and when removed the burners can be used for cooking with pans. It features Xcelerate technology which offers high performance in windy conditions and uses 50% less gas than standard camping stoves.

CANYON PORTABLE WIRELESS SPEAKER, £19.99 from game.co.uk

Bring the festival vibes direct to your garden this summer — so long as you’ve got a neighbour who doesn’t mind the noise too much! Rounded shapes, compact size, and a neat little handle make it a perfect companion for a trip or a countryside party with your friends! Enjoy up to three hours of music while being connected with Bluetooth, and once the battery dies - just plug it in with about any Type-C cable.

SPHERE PIT N’ GRILL, £49.99 from www.tower.co.uk

With the better weather finally here, it’s officially fire pit and BBQ season! Make sure you don’t miss out on making the most out of the warner evenings while they’re here with this ideal dual-use product! With a 500mm grilling surface, its perfect for cooking for families of up to six with a 360-degree access to the grill, then once you've finished cooking, you can use it has a fire pit, keeping your guests warm throughout the evening.

Looking forward to a cracking summer of sport – with a new television?

WE HEAR FROM LOCAL EXPERT

MATT TODD

By the time you read this, the first of many great sporting events for the summer will be underway – the mighty England football squad will have booked their place in the final stages of Euro 2024 and we can look forward to feats of human endeavour in many other sporting arenas – T20 Cricket World Cup, US Open and Wimbledon tennis and the Paris Olympics to name a few. If, like me, you love a bit of live sport you may be wondering if it’s worth trading up your television to maximise the entertainment so here’s a few reasons why now might be a good time to take the plunge….

Size matters; every year the size of TVs increase and you can get a more immersive experience than ever with 75” 4K ultra high definition TVs available for less than £1000— which is incredible! The same TV five years ago would have been over £5000! A 60” screen will set you back under £600! Response rates and refresh; when you are watching sport, or playing video games, the speed at which the picture is processed becomes more important and can make

a massive difference in your enjoyment – a slow or “laggy” screen will not be able to keep up with the action and you will notice judder on the image or motion blur.

Colour and

brightness; if you imagine standing in a church and looking up at a stained-glass window on a cloudy day the chances are the experience would be underwhelming, try again on a bright sunny day and you would be blown away with rich, vibrant colours bursting through the glass. It’s the same with TV technology; recent improvements to back lighting and (even better) self-emitting technology OLED mean that brightness and contrast levels have increased enormously and with them the colour saturation –everything is more vibrant and more involving. Chances are that things have moved on a lot since you bought your last television so please pop in for a look at what’s available in our Monks Cross showroom (next to Taco Bell), I can’t promise you England will win the Euros but they will look better on a new TV however far they get.

Eden Mobility is the largest Motability supplier in the UK and yet their closet store is located just one mile away from the City Centre, on Hull Road, where there is loads of free parking!

For a limited time only they are also offering 20% off when you buy in store, using the voucher, on page 39, featured in this issue of Your Local Link, so don’t forget to bring this along with you and take advantage of this huge saving in store.

In store you can try out a fully working stairlift or have a demonstration on a huge choice of Eden’s Products, including; Mobility Scooters, Powerchairs, Rise & Recline Chairs, Adjustable Beds, Wheelchairs, Walking Aids and more.

You’ll also find a large selection of pre-owned mobility scooters to suit all budgets, and they’ll consider taking almost anything in part exchange when you buy selected larger mobility aids.

Store Manager Stewart has a wealth of industry experience and is available to answer any questions you may have, or talk you through any of our popular products or services.

The kettle is always on, so why not pay them a visit today for a tea or coffee and a chat about how Eden Mobility can help you. Call 01904 234980 for more information.

View the latest properties from

Indigo Greens Estate Agents

What better time than July to start having a look around the market at some of the incredible property offerings in our area. You never know, your dream home might be just around the corner!

Garfield Terrace, YO26 4XU - £220,000 – 2 Beds

Simon Says "With two double bedrooms is this very well maintained period terrace house with additional insulation to help with the energy bills! This property is well situated for York city centre and the railway station and makes a great First Time Buyer home!"

Poplar Street, YO26 4SG - £269,500 – 2 Beds

Simon Says "A fabulous home in Holgate with a brand new Kitchen, double bedrooms and a really good sized garden! It really is a great house in my opinion and a viewing is essential!"

Sails Drive, YO10 3LR - £375,000 – 3 Beds

Simon Says "To say that the transformation of this home by the current vendors is remarkable would truly be an understatement! It needs to be seen in person to be fully appreciated!"

Allington Drive, YO31 0NL - £350,000 – 3 Beds

Simon Says "Located in Appletree Village and in immaculate condition, this home will tick many boxes for families, including the recent fitting of a new kitchen! I would urge you not to miss out on this one!”

With a team of seasoned experts, personalised service, and a knack for turning aspirations into reality, Indigo Greens is your go-to for a stress-free home moving experience.If you’re interested in viewing any of the above properties please contact Simon and the team on 01904 373044

KEEP AN EYE ON YOUR PROPERTY

We pride ourselves in the fact that York is one of the safest cities around. However it’s still worth taking time to consider an extra couple of security steps, especially whilst you’re away on holiday this Summer! Check out those month’s picks.

ERA ALARM HUB, £129 - £279 from eraprotect.com.

This product comes in three different sizes at different prices so will work for your home, no matter the size of your property or budget.

The ERA Protect Alarm Hub is available in kits of 5, 6, 7, 9 and 11 pieces. The hub will send push notifications via the app and can support up to 96 wireless accessories including pet-friendly PIR motion sensors, door and window contact sensors, live and replica siren boxes, and remote control fobs. Giving you comfort and control over what happens in and around your home!

THE EZVIZ C3TN COLOUR NIGHT VISION SECURITY CAMERA, £29.99 from amazon and EZVIZ.

The C3TN Colour features all the essential elements one could ask for outdoor protection. Homeowners can rely on it with its 1080p resolution, motion detection, vivid colour night vision, active defence with strobe light and IP67 weatherproof design, all packaged in one simple device.

OUTDOOR FLOODLIGHT CAMERA, £99.00 from eraprotect.com

For advanced outdoor security, this IP55 weather-tested outdoor camera comes with a built-in 950 lumen LED motion-triggered light, live view capability and two-way talk mode for communicating with garden visitors. It’s perfect for keeping a watchful eye over the front or back of your home even after darkness falls.

Blackcurrants Tony Chalcraft

As with all things, fashions change. There was a time when blackcurrants were a prized berry, favoured by home bakers for pies, crumbles and other assorted puddings. Today blackcurrants are rarely seen for sale fresh, even in the height of their season, which is now, that is July through to mid-August. Is it the easy, all year, availability of blueberries that have done for blackcurrants? Perhaps: but there are probably other reasons, such as the tartness of this fruit when eaten raw or the labour needed to pick berries for the fresh market. While blackcurrants are still grown as a commercial crop in the UK the vast majority are harvested by giant machines. These end up processed, squashed to make a well-known cordial drink. You probably know what this is but if not, a clue lies in the first part of the scientific name of blackcurrants: Ribes nigrum.

I’ve always grown blackcurrants. It’s a relatively simple fruit to grow. Two keys to success are an enriched soil and plenty of moisture. To ensure the bushes are well fed, each is mulched with a thick layer of manure in late winter. Should late spring or summer be dry, the soil around a bush is regularly doused with water at least once a week. Another essential is to fend birds off the ripening berries. Most of my bushes are in a fruit cage. Those that aren’t are wrapped in old net curtains or scaffold net as soon as the berries begin to colour. A further, and often overlooked task that’s necessary to get the best from blackcurrants is proper pruning. Blackcurrants mainly fruit on new wood made the previous summer. Older wood is far less productive. To stimulate the continued production of young growth it’s vital to prune out some of the older branches

annually, preferably by cutting at the base. Removing up to a third of the older branches isn’t too much. I usually prune in winter as it’s easier to distinguish the newer wood, which is a light brown, from older branches that are darker in colour.

Given a little care and, most of all, pruned properly, blackcurrants will reward the gardener with berries for ten or more years. However, over time pests and diseases may take a toll and the quality and quantity of the berries begin to decline. Perhaps the most common problem is affliction with big bud mite. This tiny pest lives inside the buds of blackcurrants causing them to swell. It is most apparent in late winter when the infested buds contrast with the slimmer ones not infiltrated by the mite. Infected buds can be removed if there are not too many, but the mite also carries a virus which debilitates the bush,

resulting in fewer and smaller berries over a number of years. Where big bud has got a hold and berries are small and sparse, the best advice is to grub affected bushes and start again, preferably in a different spot, with new plants.

This year looks to be a good one for blackcurrants. It’s one consolation of the dank and dreary spring. Blackcurrants are a cool climate crop and won’t fare well as the climate heats. This year though, there’ll be plenty of berries for cooking, jamming and more. Some of the berries will go into fruit salads or be mixed breakfast cereal. If you want an extra sweet variety for eating fresh, Ebony and Big Ben are recommended. I’ve tried neither of these but am happy to live with the sharpness of the uncooked berries and am aware that, gram for gram, they contain four times the vitamin C of oranges.

For more than 40 years, York Steiner School has fostered the joy of learning in children — giving them the knowledge and skills to flourish.

Their popular Kindergarten welcomes children from the age of 3 to 6 in small, classes that have been rated ‘Good in all areas” by Ofsted.

Surrounded by gardens and play areas, the school is a place where

children are nurtured to grow at their own pace and develop as individuals across the seven areas of learning in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

Get in touch with their admissions team now for a September place. Simply e-mail: jo@yorksteinerschool.org.

NAVIGATING THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR: TIPS FOR PARENTS

We are blessed to have access to the services of Joy Richardson. She is a qualified coach, mentor, and education advocate who helps parents by giving them the strategy to support themselves and their families.

FIND THE PRIMARY SCHOOL FOR YOU

York Steiner School Thinking differently about

This month she offers support for the children looking for structure amidst the chaos of the final weeks of summer term.

Head to www. yourlocallink. co.uk or scan the QR code (right) to read her latest column.

YORK COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY CENTRE

Where

Education

Is For Everyone

Are you thinking about taking that next step, wanting to progress, retrain, upskill or simply learn something new for fun?

achieve the essential qualification(s) you require, while balancing the demands of everyday life.

York College & University Centre welcome a large and diverse cohort of adult learning students who study on a wide range of courses, covering various subjects at different levels, from short courses to degree and higher-level study.

If you’re looking to retrain to change career, aiming to progress at work or just wanting to start a new hobby, their courses (starting in September 2024) could be a perfect fit for you.

Their adult course offer has been developed to work flexibly with you and is ideal to study alongside work or other commitments, allowing you to

Many of us are beginning to think about where to send our children for Primary School next year.

It’s impossible to ever do enough preparation before you take the massive decision of choosing the Primary School for your child — it’s probably the biggest step of their little life so far.

We’re mindful of our students’ ability to progress and focus on career progression and higherlevel study, ensuring our students are supported to achieve their goals and in their next steps.

Some courses may even be free for you, or you may be eligible for a loan, so it’s never been easier to achieve your ambitions.

Visit their website, or pick up the brochure included with this issue of Your Local Link to discover the courses starting in September 2024. Head to www.yorkcollege. ac.uk/adults or contact info@yorkcollege.ac.uk for more information.

With so many great options in our city the process can be a little bit overwhelming. To make things easier— this month at Your Local Link we’re running a special feature on primary education in York.

Check out the adverts on the previous page to discover some of York’s best and discover the perfect match for your child.

Just because someone has a diagnosis of dementia it doesn’t mean they should stop living, laughing and having fun.

At The Rainbow Care Group we get to know you as an individual, encouraging anything that brings feelings of happiness and well-being.

We offer

• Full specialist day care provision.

• Free Taster Day

• Exciting and enriching experiences.

• A unique approach to day care services, promoting dignity and independence.

Restoring trust in Funeral Directors

An Interview with Chris Fielder

Sammi Minion WRITTEN BY

When back in March, Humberside Police were forced to step in and arrest two people at Legacy Independent Funeral Directors in Hull on suspicion of preventing lawful burials taking place, the local funeral industry was thrown into crisis. Police say a helpline they set up to support those affected by the Legacy situation received over 2000 calls in the weeks after news of the arrests broke alone.

With so many people in our community feeling a real sense of anxiety about who to trust with an upcoming ceremony, we sat down with one of the most trusted funeral directors in the area to see if things really are as bad as they seem.

How would you like to introduce yourself?

My name is Chris Fielder. I'm one of the partners of JG Fielder & Son. Day-to-day my job for the most part is the management side of things, but obviously I still conduct funerals when required.

When you first heard reports of the situation at Legacy Funeral Homes what was your initial reaction?

Shock really, a little bit of disbelief. Have you ever heard of something like this happening before?

Nothing like this.

I mean, we're all human and mistakes can happen — but not to this extent.

If something happens, you have to be honest with families. You address them, you do what you can to rectify things.

Since the news broke, have any of your clients expressed any extra concerns about the care of their loved ones?

I'd say we've had a handful here in York.

We own a couple of branches in The East Riding. They’ve had quite a few people talking about what's gone on. There are a few people who have asked additional

questions.

But nothing like what we expected, to be honest.

If anyone does have concerns about a director, what kind of questions would you encourage them to ask?

It's going to be things like “where are the deceased actually being looked after?”

As in, “Is it the same premises where you know you’re sat at the moment or is it going to be somewhere off site?” Is it somewhere you can actually visit

if you so choose?

It's things like— asking questions about the kind of facilities that people have, is there refrigeration? Do you embalm everybody?

Asking if they're members of different sorts of trade associations [like the] National Association of Funeral Directors or the Society of Allied and Independent Funeral Directors.

The reason being for those ones, is that the premises are inspected and there's a code of conduct to follow.

If for any reason the standards are not being met, then to remain a member, you have to address them and obviously make any amendments. In particular with Legacy, at one time they were a member, but they declined to continue their membership.

What signs should people look out for that a director shouldn’t be trusted with the funeral of a loved one?

The biggest things to look out for are — if you are asking some of the questions, I mentioned earlier— that they're not willing to answer them.

But if there's any sort of hint of not giving a full enough answer, or if they're trying to divert away from a question rather than just giving you an honest answer and that's going to be the biggest red flag really.

Any final comments?

It's certainly extremely unusual that this has happened. The vast majority of people in the funeral business are good, honest people who do the job because they care and because they want to help people.

In the heart of a serene woodland, Memory Tree Company offers a unique opportunity to celebrate and remember your loved ones through the living monument of a dedicated tree.

Over 18 tree types to choose from, option of a memorial plaque and the choice to have ashes scattered or interred.

If you’d like to speak to one of the team at JG Fielder & Son to help organise an upcoming service, call 01904 654460.

If you have any personal concerns about events at Legacy that you’d like to speak through, call the police helpline on 0808 281 1136.

“Ear Ear”— did you know that earwax removal is no longer covered by the NHS?

This summer, the last thing anyone wants to worry about is struggling to hear conversations due to earwax buildup. However, as a result of a change in the way people receive ear care, getting access to earwax removal services has become a huge problem.

Whether it’s through microsuction, where a specialist uses a vacuum to suck the wax out of an ear, or electric irrigation, where a machine gently pumps

pressurised water into the ear to clear the wax, around 2.3 million people in the UK need earwax removal services every year.

Despite the huge number of people needing help, since 2019 people in England have been no longer able to access those vital services through the NHS. Making it much more difficult for those affected to find a provider who can help.

At Your Local Link we’ve decided to use our position as “local encyclopaedia” to group together all of the ear wax removal providers around York into one place, so that if you do need services for whatever reason, you’ll still know where to go! See the adverts on this page to find the best one for you.

Glossa: Grab a seat at York’s

COMMUNICATION CAFE

There’s nothing more important to getting by in day-to-day life than communication. Whether it’s sharing the events of the day with loved ones over a cup of tea or seeking solace after a tough day, communication is key. Yet, it’s important to recognise that many adults in our community face challenges with their speech, language, or communication. Fortunately, Glossa, a speech and language therapy practice based here in York, are running a Communication Café. They will provide a welcoming and supportive environment (with plenty of cake and coffee) for individuals dealing with speech, memory, cognitive, language, or fluency issues.

Ear wax removal in the comfort of your own home. Tympa Accredited Practitioner Service includes free advice from Audiologists/ENT when required.

To book, call Katie on: 07985 664 947

Email: earandthereyork@gmail.com

Visit: www.earandthereyork.co.uk @earandthereyork

Ear wax removal via microsuction, covering York and most of North Yorkshire.

Registered practitioner. Friendly, gentle, fast service in your home.

Both ears £65 Mellony Pinkney BScHons

www.earwaxaway.co.uk

Sleep easy this Summer

One of the main drawbacks to the arrival of summer can be how hot it gets at night and how that affects our sleep. While an open window and a fan can do most of the work, we’ve put together a collection of some extra products that will help you get a better night’s sleep than you ever thought possible.

The café environment will be social but supportive, with Speech & Language Therapists on hand to help where needed. The sessions are not limited to any specific type of condition but could be helpful for people who find communication hard after a stroke, live with Parkinson’s Disease, have experienced a brain injury, have a learning disability or a stammer.

Upcoming events are on from 10.30am-12.30pm on the 31st of July, the 11th of September, and the 9th of October at Costa Coffee in Haxby.

For more information about Glossa’s speech therapy services head to www.glossaslt.uk.

JARMABOX, £70 from jarmabox.co.uk A box packed with super soft, handmade PJs in gorgeous, calming colours. Plus, you’ll get awesome fragrance and beauty goodies from top brands like ESPA and Philip Kingsley! The Jarmabox is a subscription service, so once you sign up, you’ll get a fresh box with new jammies and self-care treats every season, ensuring you always have a great night's sleep.

‘SLEEP HEAD’ PATCHES, £5.99 from www.themellowpatchcompany.com Simply add a Sleep Head patch top your pillow and allow the calming fragrance to transport you to great sleep! Featuring Valerian extract, Passion flower extract, and Ashwagandha, it promotes relaxation, eases anxiety, and supports a peaceful night’s rest. Wake up refreshed and ready for the day!

Spotting Signs of Dehydration in Older Relatives

About the Author

Ed Gill is Director of York’s only CQC Outstanding home care provider and has worked with dozens of care organisations across the country to develop personcentred care and support services.

As we age, our bodies become less efficient at conserving water, making dehydration a common and serious issue. As we enter the warmer months, recognising the signs of dehydration in your older relatives is crucial. Here are some key indicators to watch for:

1. Decreased Urination: Older adults may not feel the urge to urinate as often, and when they do, the urine might be dark yellow or amber coloured, signalling dehydration.

2. Fatigue: Dehydration can lead to a general sense of fatigue and confusion. If your relative seems unusually tired or confused, it could be due to inadequate hydration.

3. Dizziness and Headaches: Feeling dizzy or lightheaded can be a symptom of dehydration, especially if these feelings occur when standing up quickly. Headaches are also a common sign.

4. Dry Skin and Poor Skin

Elasticity: Check their skin for dryness. You can also perform a simple skin elasticity test by gently pinching the skin on the back of their hand; if it doesn’t snap back quickly, they might be dehydrated.

5. Rapid Heartbeat and Breathing: Dehydration can cause the heart to work harder, leading to a rapid heartbeat and quicker breathing.

To prevent dehydration, encourage your older relatives to drink water regularly throughout the day, even if they don’t feel thirsty. Incorporating hydrating foods like fruits and vegetables into their diet can also help maintain adequate fluid levels.

If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to act promptly. Increasing fluid intake and, if necessary, seeking medical advice can prevent serious complications. Staying vigilant can help keep your elderly loved ones healthy and hydrated this summer.

York Hospital worker learns to swim to raise hundreds for charity.

Just two years ago hospital administrator Lola Shopeju had never swam in open water before and yet this June she took on and completed a gruelling wild swimming challenge in the Lake District.

She took part in The Great North Swim and raised almost £600 for York & Scarborough Hospitals Charity by swimming the halfmile course in Lake Windermere.

Speaking to the charity after the event, Lola said: ‘It was great! Daunting and choppy waters but amazing experience!’ and is thinking already about doing the event next year.

Lola said, “I have a photograph of myself on my seventh birthday with my feet in water, it was a

very memorable event for me. I have always wanted to swim; when I moved to York there was a swimming pool just 10 minutes away from me, so it seemed perfect timing,”

She first learned to swim at Yearsley Swimming Pool in York.

"When I first started lessons, I would often panic. But now I love the relaxing calming feeling of water. My instructors are very proud of what I am trying to achieve and are very supportive. I’d encourage anyone who hasn’t swam before to try it.”

Anyone wanting to support Lola should go to her Just Giving page at www.justgiving.com/page/ lola-sho-4-health.

Check before you check

Are you lucky enough to have booked a holiday further afield than the British Isles this year?

Before you get carried away packing your bikini or shorts, you might need to check if you need any travel vaccinations or medication for your chosen destination. This will protect you from some serious diseases such as Malaria, Typhoid, Yellow Fever or Hepatitis A.

best course of action. It is recommended to do this 6-8 weeks before you travel as your body may need time to develop immunity.

Be aware that all travel vaccines are not free on the NHS and some countries require evidence of the treatment before you can enter.

SARAH TODD

The first port of call is to contact your GP practice who should be able to advise you on the

The NHS website is a great source of information https://www. nhs.uk/vaccinations/travelvaccinations/travel-vaccinationadvice/ Now you’ve got that sorted, don’t forget your sun cream!

First up are our team of crack accountants. If you’ve called up to make a payment, you’ll probably recognise their voices. What you won’t know is that one of them is an award-winning chef (if our annual Halloween bake-off counts as an award!).See page 62 for more on that.

Karen, Head of Accounts

What does your typical Sunday look like?

Nice and chilled.

What’s your favourite memory from working in the office?

When I fell over the office dog, face-planted the floor, and my cup flew across the office.

Any extra details that sum you up?

Not really, I am just me… probably the bad cop in accounts!

As Your Local Link Turns 21, Meet the People Who Make It

July 2024 marks exactly 21 years since the first-ever Your Local Link magazine arrived on your doorsteps—making it just two years younger than the writer putting this feature together!

Whether you’re an advertiser or avid reader, we appreciate you already know everything there is to know about Your Local Link. So, we’ve dedicated our 21st to the “small but perfectly formed” office who keep Your Local Link magazine going!

Next up are Sales. They’re our biggest and most experienced department — some of them were selling adverts while half the design team was still in Nursery!

What does your typical Sunday look like?

Family-orientated, nice and chilled.

What’s your favourite memory from working in the office?

Most heartwarming was in the early days when a customer called in to say she was housebound, her husband was coming out of hospital, and she needed food. She just didn’t know what to do. Gini simply went to the shop and got her shopping for her!

Who would you say is the funniest person at Your Local Link?

Probably Mackenzie. The question is, are we laughing with him or at him?

What does your typical Sunday look like?

Taking my family out for the day and catching up with washing!

What’s your favourite memory from working in the office?

Bringing my new kitten into the office!

Who would you say is the funniest person at Your Local Link? Mim.

What does your typical Sunday look like?

Nice and chilled with a homemade roast dinner.

What’s your favourite memory from working in the office?

When I blamed Kenz for passing wind, when in fact it was Mya’s prawns that had gone off! Even the dog wouldn’t eat one.

Who would you say is the funniest person at Your Local Link?

Kenz, he knows how to make everyone in the office chuckle!

Any extra details that sum you up?

No, I’m just me… probably the good cop in accounts.

Any extra details that sum you up? I feel like I have become a walking Local Link encyclopedia, having been here so long.

Mim, Sales Team Manager

What does your typical Sunday look like?

Sunday is time to chill, do things in the home or cook for family and friends.

What’s your favourite memory from working in the office?

Gini coming in with odd shoes and not even knowing until past lunch.

Who would you say is the funniest person at Your Local Link?

Begrudgingly, I have to say Mackenzie. The stuff that he comes out with on a daily basis is baffling, haha.

What does your typical Sunday look like?

Sunday lunch while watching The Goonies.

Where’s your favourite place to go for lunch near our office?

Burger King.

What’s the best thing about living in York?

A superlative bus service.

What’s your favourite memory from working in the office?

Mackenzie running out of toilet roll mid-deposit.

What’s the first page of the magazine you read each month? Index page.

Lauren, Credit Controller

Sarah, BusinessGroupManager

Mya, Sales Territory Manager

Craig, Sales Account Manager

Next up are our Distribution Team— without them, your monthly Your Local Link magazine wouldn’t make it to your doorstep.

Simon, Distribution Manager

What does your typical Sunday look like? Usually spent with grandkids (costing me money).

What’s the best thing about living in York?

Lots of pubs and restaurants.

What’s your favourite memory from working in the office?

My office is my van. Mine and Gary’s trips delivering to the coast back in the Scarborough Review days.

What’s the first page of the magazine you read each month?

Competitions (even though I’m not allowed to enter).

What does your typical Sunday look like?

Doing any jobs on the farm/yard that need doing and maybe going out for Sunday lunch later on .

What’s your favourite memory you have from working in the office?

Well it has to be the time Craig from sales rang me, wanting to know if I wanted to put my valeting business in the next month's link, without realising I was sat in the office at the time!

What’s your go-to meal deal?

Gregs have alright meal deals at the moment

Mackenzie, Sales Territory Manager

What does your typical Sunday look like?

Going for a lovely walk with my girlfriend and our dog Ronnie, usually followed by watching some local cricket.

What’s the best thing about living in York? So much to do in such close proximity.

What’s the first page of the magazine you read each month?

Page 3.

Who would you say is the funniest person at Your Local Link?

Craig.

Any extra details that sum you up?

I play squash, love Thai food, and enjoy everything David Attenborough has ever done. My hero.

Next up are the Design, Editorial, and Social Media Team who are in charge of turning everyone’s ideas into a magazine each month—the one you’re reading right now!

What does your typical Sunday look like?

Relaxing, reading, and making sure I am ready for the week ahead.

What’s the best thing about living in York?

The culture that York has to offer and the ‘oldy-worldly’ feel to York is something I love.

What’s the first page of the magazine you read each month?

The “Events” section as there is always something going on in York, and it’s exciting to see what is happening in and around York.

What does your typical Sunday look like?

Walks on the beach with my boyfriend James, collecting sea glass for our collection!

What’s your favourite memory from working in the office?

When a spider landed on my shoulder and I screamed the office down. Sarah was on the phone to a customer… sorry, Sarah!

What’s the first page of the magazine you read each month?

Horoscopes… tell me my future, please…

Who would you say is the funniest person at Your Local Link?

Karen! She’s bloody brilliant! She never fails to make me laugh.

What does your typical Sunday look like?

A 5K with my girlfriend if we can be bothered, if not, I’ll watch plenty of football.

What does your typical Sunday look like?

Sometimes a ride out to Sandsend to watch the waves, or resting to get ready for the upcoming busy week.

What’s your favourite memory from working in the office?

Watching Sarah trying to stop Poppy, our old office dog, from escaping out the window by holding on to her tail. Both escaped unhurt.

What’s your favourite memory from working in the office?

My victory for creating the second bestlooking food at the Halloween Bake-off!

What’s the first page of the magazine you read each month?

I write three-quarters of it, so I know the magazine pretty well by the time it comes out.

What does your typical Sunday look like?

Doing nothing but sitting on the sofa

What’s your favourite memory you have from working in the office?

Mackenzie screaming at all the little spiders he sees

Who would you say is the funniest person at Your Local Link?

I’d have to say Mackenzie sadly

What does your typical Sunday look like?

If I’m not heading to the Vaults to watch a band, I’ll be writing or drawing. I’m rubbish at doing nothing!

Where’s your favourite place to go for lunch near our office?

Much to the amusement of my colleagues, I eat the same lunch every day, which I bring with me.

What’s the best thing about living in York?

The variety of entertainment. Given that it’s only a small place, there are 2 theatres, 3 cinemas, endless pubs, and a good live music scene. Oh, and there are ghosts. (Turn to page 19 for more about Vince’s knowledge on the supernatural).

Who would you say is the funniest person at Your Local Link?

Designer Raana. Underneath her very professional exterior is a wickedly sharp and witty person.

Tom, Distribution

Molly, Content Creator

Vince, Graphic Design

Raana, Graphic Design MarketingandExecutive

Tristan, Head of Graphic Design

Sammi, Staff Writer

YORKSHIRE’S FORGOTTEN

“Invisible soldiers, forgotten sacrifice”

Weeks after the rest of the country celebrated the 80th anniversary of the legendary allied effort to liberate Normandy, a campaign group in Filey will be commemorating a completely different — and much lesser known— 80-year anniversary.

Written by Sammi Minion,

credits: Mike Seamer

At 11.30am on Saturday the 30th of June a meeting will take place at the RAF Hunmanby Moor Monument on Queen Street. It is the site of a plaque that commemorates the 4,000 servicemen who —80-years ago this June— travelled from the Caribbean to train as ground crew at RAF Hunmanby Moor, a former Butlins Holiday Camp that was requisitioned by the RAF in 1941.

The plaque was erected by a campaign group in April 2023, after the council rejected a plea for an official memorial to be placed alongside Filey’s other war memorials in the Memorial Garden on Murray Street.

Glenn Parsons — whose two uncles Gilmore Westcarr and Edwin Samuels were amongst the men who travelled from the Caribbean — has led the campaign for the last three years and has even offered to pay for the plaque to recognise their contributions.

He’s determined to have Filey memorialise his uncle’s memories of the “warm welcome” they received from Filey residents after they had volunteered to travel thousands of miles “to come and help the motherland” during a “period [of the war] where England was in great peril” — with Nazi forces only 26-miles-away across the English Channel. Those memories have convinced him of “the depths of our combined history” and the importance of officially remembering them.

“Perhaps if some people knew how entwined our past histories are, they wouldn’t be so quick to point at divisions and make people feel like they they are othered and not a part of the community.”

He says the initiative, to include the story of the Caribbean contingent within this chapter of East Yorkshire history, has “fallen on deaf ears” from the side of Filey Town Council.

When Glenn’s group wanted to celebrate the anniversary of Armistice Day back in November 2023, they organised a separate

ceremony at the Queen Street Plaque, in protest of an official Town Council event in the Memorial Garden — where they still do not feel accepted or acknowledged.

A week before the Armistice event, Glenn told me, “We’re going to be having two ceremonies. One for the Caribbean contingent down on Queen Street and one for everybody else up at the Memorial Gardens. It simply shouldn’t be like that. And we might say it’s not what those men fought and died for.”

Despite the well-attended protest, the council’s official stance is still that the Garden “was produced to honour the men and women of Filey who have died in conflict.”

When we reached out to Filey Town Council this month, they said they were not in a position to give comment on the memorial.

David Liddle who the Filey Council Town Clerk at the time of the Armistice event said, “There are no plaques to commemorate the Caribbean servicemen or any other of the many nationalities of servicemen who attended RAF Hunmanby camp for training during World War Two.” He also said that they have offered Glenn’s group alternative sites around Filey and Hunmanby.

The campaign consider these alternative sites to be “wholly unacceptable” since they are on private land and are inaccessible by foot.

Glenn maintains that the Caribbean contingent deserve their place in the Memorial Garden.

“It’s an affront to the servicemen from Filey and from the Caribbean who fought, lived and sometimes died shoulder-to-shoulder without any division” that serves to further “add to the insult that’s been payed to the memory of their service — by completely eradicating it from the history books.”

“He told stories of going into public houses, Americans coming in and saying, well, we don’t want those black people in here and the locals saying, well, you know, either you drink alongside them or you get out. It was nothing

short of a warm welcome.”

Glenn says that it was because of the warm welcome his uncles received that his own parents —alongside thousands of others throughout the following decades— were encouraged to move to the UK. It is an important legacy of the Caribbean contingent that has been “rendered invisible” by Filey Town Council.

“Gilmore settled in Gloucester [while] Edwin and my dad came to Leeds. They lived in this country for the rest of their lives and contributed to this country.”

What eventually allowed for the creation of the Queen Street Memorial was the efforts of the people of Filey. Just as the thousands of servicemen from the Caribbean in the 1940s were warmly accepted in the 1940s, when it came to putting the plaque on Queen Street in place, Glenn says “The good people of Filey carried the day in the end."

Homeowners Linda and Bryan volunteered up their own property to hold the plaque — when Glenn’s initial plea was rejected by the council.

Linda said, “I really got involved as I thought Filey TC were making a decision on behalf of people without their knowledge. Anyone who fought and defended this country during the wars should have recognition. I want to remember everyone who gave things up.”

It is this spirit that gives Glenn the real hope that “the time will come when perhaps a younger generation of counsellors will see the benefit of this.”

The service at 85 Queen Street, Filey starts at 11:30am on the 30th of June. You can read more about the contributions of the Caribbean RAF contingent at www.africansinyorkshire.co.uk and www.theforgottengenerations.com.

Photo

Crowds attend the Armistice ceremony at 85 Queen St.

Volunteers from the Caribbean in training (1944)

Glenn Parsons speaking at the unveiling of the plaque in April 2023

Time Travel REMEMBERING D-DAY

80 years ago this past June the 6th, the biggest air, naval, and sea operation in human history took place — as 156,000 allied troops made up of American, Canadian Australian, and British troops landed on five normandy beaches — Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword.

Because the Second World War is still so close to living memory, we can forget just how important the contributions made by veterans were. We should remember D-Day as a moment in which millions of people came together, from nations all across the world, to sacrifice their own safety and security to defend democracy and freedom.

Although more than 4,400 Allied soldiers were killed on June 6th 1944 alone, the landings were fundamental in the Allied operation to liberate Western European from Nazi occupation, codenamed Operation Overlord, serving an absolute hammer blow to Hitler’s Germany.

Less than a year after D-Day, the entirety of France was free of Nazi rule, setting the stage for full German surrender in September 1945. Many Historians consider it to be the single most important moment in turning the tide of the Second World War.

Amongst the British number that landed on Gold Beach that day was 18-year-old Ken Cooke.

Mr Cooke, now a 98-year-old York resident, is the youngest surviving member of the 7th Battalion, Green Howards (Yorkshire Regiment).

During D-Day he was part of the first wave of invaders, whose bravery built the foundation that underscored Allied victory.

Mr Cooke was awarded France’s highest military honour, the Legion D’Honneur for his courage in 2016.

He told the BBC at a D-Day Memorial Service in Normandy on June 6th 2024, “I am very proud to be one of the last ones, but also I am very, very, very lucky to be here today."

He also told the BBC what he remembered

from his landing, “All we could see was the beach and the dust and fires. I can't explain this, but I was leaning over the side of the landing craft watching all the fireworks, you know, rockets going, battleships firing, artillery firing from the bigger landing craft.”

"The sergeant and the corporal were shouting to get off the beach as quickly as you can, if anybody falls down, gets shot off and falls down, leave them and you get off the beach. The medics will take care of those people.”

Following his return to England after the war, Mr Cooke went on to work for the Rowntree Factory on Haxby Road for the next 50 years. He is also a lifelong member of the Lightwater Railway.

This march Mr Cooke was awarded with another honour. He had a vintage Ruston & Hornsby 88DS engine named after him. It is the same model train that the veteran would have used to travel to work at Rowntree’s every day.

Why was D-Day important?

June 6th is without doubt the day that the war in Europe changed. The landings completely switched the language of Allied response to Germany and the axis forces’s aggression, from retreat and survival to liberation.

The foothold that Mr Cooke and his comrades built on June 6th 1944 cannot ever be overstated. They succeeded in supplanting German control so successfully that within a month, the Allies had seized the vital port of Cherbourg, landed approximately 850,000 men and 150,000 vehicles in Normandy, and were poised to continue their march across France.

By the end of August 1944 the unstoppable Allied force that the D-Day landings put on the continent reached the river Seine and liberated Paris from Nazi occupation — relieving a city that had been under German control for four whole years. They were met with ecstatic crowds.

Previous to the D-Day landings, the Soviet Union (USSR) had been facing the full brunt of the German war

machine almost alone for best part of two years.

In June 1941 German army command took an ultimately ill-fated decision to send a historic invasion force of more than 3.8 million military personnel into the Soviet Union (USSR). Due to Soviet resistance and Russian weather, by the end of 1943 when the Soviet Red Army finally succeeded in driving the last of the German force out of their territory, historians estimate that just 1.75 million members of their army survived.

As a result by 1944, with the German army in such a dilapidated state, they were ripe for the taking.

The D-Day landings provided the Western allies with a vital foothold in France that opened up the Second World War on two fronts, with Berlin at their centre. The Soviet Red Army were rapidly advancing on Germany from the East whilst the inspirational efforts at D-Day allowed the Anglo-American force to drive the Germans back from the West — stretching Hitler’s already crumbling army in two. For the first time they had to face up against the world’s two superpowers, the British and Americans on one side and the USSR on the other.

Conclusion

At the Ceremony in Normandy on the 6th of June 2024, PA media reported King Charles III to have said, “Each of you who contributed that day – sailor, soldier, aviator, civilian – whether you fought on the beaches or parachuted from the skies, or flew fighters or gliders, whether you were an engineer or a radio operator or an intelligence officer, your actions freed a continent and built a better world.”

This is how we should remember D-Day, a phenomenal and inspirational historical achievement made possible by people who were willing to step up at great risk to themselves to build a better world.

Historical figures and dates were sourced from history.com and the BBC as were the quotes by Ken Cooke. Read more about the history of our area at www.yourlocallink.co.uk

General Election 2024:

YORK OUTER:

DAVID EADINGTON, YORKSHIRE PARTY

"While London and the South East take the lion's share of investment, our communities in Yorkshire are left to suffer. Public spending in London is £14,500 per person. But in Yorkshire it's just £11,900 per person – that’s a shortfall of over £14 billion, every year, across Yorkshire. The Yorkshire Party is standing up for fair funding through a Yorkshire Regional Parliament, so that we can control our own local affairs. Finally, good luck to all the other candidates who are participating in our democracy."

JULIAN STURDY, CONSERVATIVE

of Albert Einstein's Theory of General Relativity. Darren's aim is to go to Westminster to push the academic establishment to take action for the people of this country.”

ANDREW HOLLYER, LIBERAL DEMOCRAT

“When I was diagnosed with cancer a few years ago, it was after a year of delayed GP appointments. It was only caught when a nurse at the practice sent me straight to A&E. I was lucky as an amazing team of doctors and nurses cured me – but too many are not.

80 years ago as a nation we were miraculously rescued from disaster when King George VI, the father of our late Queen Elizabeth II, called national days of prayer. Everyone is special; we are all uniquely made in God's image!”

YORK CENTRAL: ALAN PAGE, LIBERAL DEMOCRAT

ELECTORAL REFORM. I believe that implementing STAR and mandatory voting could better reflect the electorate's views. In office I will demand these ELECTORAL REFORMS then resign so that York central can have a candidate that actually represents them."

"After fourteen years as your Member of Parliament, I am seeking re-election to continue the work we have started. At the last election, we set out a plan for York, we stuck with it — and it’s paying off. But what happens next comes down to you.

From jobs to growth, roads to rail links, York Outer is in a much stronger position today. Let’s see our plan through and build a brighter future for local families and a secure future for the country.”

MICHAEL KEARNEY, GREEN PARTY

“Having lived in York all my adult life and worked in schools across the city, I have a deep understanding of the issues facing people and families. The damage caused by the Conservatives and Labour to our schools and NHS are a key reason I am standing in this election. Only a vote for the Greens will be a vote to end NHS privatisation; for NHS dentists for all; bringing water back into public ownership and ending the scandal of sewage dumping; investing in the Green economy to create new, well-paid jobs; and tackling the climate crisis.”

DARREN BORROWS, INDEPENDENT

“Darren's campaign message is, Truth; about time. After identifying a possible mistake in physics in 2015, he has been trying to get the science establishment to consider the possibility they've overlooked something simple and disprove an alternate interpretation

Liberal Democrats have a plan to give patients a right to see their GP within a week, or within 24 hours if it’s urgent. This will be delivered by increasing the number of GPs by 8,000.”

LUKE CHARTERS, LABOUR

“As a local dad I rely on York Outer’s services: I have spent hours in York A&E with my toddler; found it challenging to find affordable childcare for my son and found it difficult to secure GP appointments. I want to clean up York’s rivers, ensure it is easy for residents to access healthcare and that we have sufficient neighbourhood policing. I promise to be the active, constituency first MP that York Outer deserves and needs.”

HAL MAYNE, INDEPENDENT

“I'm standing to help break the disastrous national parties rule, which I believe, has led to the grinding down of our nation over the last 50 years.

I am York born and bred, and with my twin brother Leo Mayne standing in York central, I hope to bring about a real change for York, and the nation. Most importantly I want to champion the cause of all our people in York outer who have been damaged by the MRNA jab. If you’ve been harmed by the jab and would like to share your story, please contact me at MyVoiceMRNA@gmail.com."

KEITH ANDREW HAYDEN, INDEPENDENT

"As a retired teacher I am standing as an independent candidate. I long for a restoration to Christian values in our society based on the Bible. Recognising the sanctity of human life, Respecting marriage, family and caring for other, Honouring our responsibilities within our communities. Thank God that

“York is a wonderful place to live, but I have ambitions to make it even better. The Liberal Democrats are committed to helping everyone achieve their potentialmany are held back by a lack of affordable housing and reliable public transport. Living here in York Central with my family, I understand our community's needs. If elected, I will be a dedicated and hard-working local MP, ensuring our voices are heard and our needs met.”

LEO MAYNE, INDEPENDENT

"I believe all our national parties have failed us. I am running as an independent because I want to be the hope of change. I want to represent the people of York who can see Party Politics for what it really is. Not an expression of freedom, but a means of control.

I want to raise awareness of the many tens of hundreds across York who have been harmed by the MRNA jab. If you have been harmed and would like to tell your story please contact me at myvoicemrna@gmail.com Vote Mayne and together let's Build Back Britain.”

RICHARD HUDSON, CONSERVATIVE

"For too long York Central has been let down. Rather than shout from the rooftops about the opportunities in York, our city has been portrayed on the national stage as in decline. If I am elected I will change that. I will attract new businesses to provide high quality jobs, seek investment to adapt our city to the changing face of the high street, boost health outcomes, see thousands of new homes for families built on brownfield sites, and ensure there is more money in your family budget at the end of the next Parliament.”

RUAIRI KENDALL, INDEPENDENT

"When I learned that Rachael Maskell voted to restrict abortion rights in Northern Ireland, I realised I couldn't, in good conscience, support her in the upcoming general election. I concluded that the most effective way to address this flawed system is through

LARS

KRAMM, GREEN PARTY

“Hello, I’m Lars Kramm, proud parent of a toddler and working for a healthcare provider. Some of you may know me from my 4 years as councillor for Micklegate ward between 2015 and 2019. As your Green candidate, I’m committed to addressing the issues that matter most to you, from improving the NHS and ensuring affordable housing to tackling climate change and protecting our natural environment. With your support we can bring about real hope, real change and offer a fresh and inspiring alternative.”

ROGER JAMES, INDEPENDENT

“ You’ll see no expensive, elaborate campaigning from me. I’m just an 80-year-old, retired man who has suffered taxation and unlawful legislation for 65 years. Now I’ve got the time, I want to put an end to the injustice. I’m an independent candidate with no party whip telling me what to do. I’ll meet with you on a regular basis, working together for a better life.”

RACHAEL MASKELL, LABOUR

“Rachael has recently advanced legislation to regulate Short Term Holiday Lets, campaigned for children facing challenges and speaks regularly on issues from housing and development, the economy, health and social care and the environment and climate. Central to Rachael’s work, is listening to the issues that constituents raise and bringing their voice to Parliament, especially the inequality and injustices that so many have faced."

We were unable to receive a timely response from the following candidates:

ALISDAIR LORD, INDEPENDENT (YORK CENTRAL)

CLIFF BOND, REFORM UK (YORK CENTRAL)

JOHN EDWARD CRISPIN-BAILEY, REFORM UK (YORK OUTER)

Extended candidates statements are available at www.yourlocallink.co.uk

Events

Information is correct at the time of printing but subject to change. Please check with venues ahead of your visit. Itching for something to do? Read on…

23 JUNE

ACADEMY OF ST OLAVE’S SUMMER

CONCERT, St Olave’s Church, Marygate. 8pm. York’s leading chamber orchestra present a programme featuring Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto, Handel’s Music for the Royal Fireworks and Beethoven’s 8th Symphony. Tickets cost £16 or £5 for Under 18s from www.academyofstolaves.org.uk or on the door.

29 JUNE

NABURN VILLAGE GALA, Naburn Village Hall, Vicarage Lane, Naburn, Y019 4RS. 1-7pm. Enjoy welly wanging, a dog show, a photo competition, an ice cream van, Ainsty Ales, crafting tent, brass band, Great Naburn Bake Off, face painting, tombola, bouncy castle, sourdough pizzas, and splat the rat.

30 JUNE

WILDLIFE DAY, Stillingfleet Lodge Gardens, York. 11am-4pm. Meet local experts and join in a range of family-friendly activities! Head to stillingfleetlodgenurseries.co.uk to book tickets.

30 JUNE

OUTDOOR BOXING, New Earswick

Sports and Social Club. 12pm. Tickets are £20. Call Lisa on 01904 750103 for more information.

1 JULY-31 AUGUST

SUTTON PARK STATELY HOME, Sutton-on-the-Forest, York. The Gardens will be open from 11am5pm and the house will be open for guided tours only (at 1.30pm and at 2.45pm). Sutton Park is a charming example of Georgian architecture with exquisite interiors, well known for its plaster work and Chinese drawing room with elaborate 18th Century wallpaper. The house was built in 1750 by the architect Thomas Atkinson. Visit www.suttonpark.co.uk for more information.

5-6 JULY

MERCHANT ADVENTURERS’ BEER

FESTIVAL, The Hall, Fossgate, York YO1 9XD. Merchant Adventurers’ Hall takes centre stage while hosting over 30 breweries showcasing more than 70 of their finest ales, beers and lagers.Visit www. merchantshallyork.org for more information.

6-7 JULY

DUNCOME PARK STEAM AND VINTAGE RALLY, Helmsley, YO62 5EB. Go along for an action-packed weekend full to the brim of steam engines, tractors, cars, vintage lorries, crafts, a fun fair and much, much more! Head to www.gytec. co.uk to book your tickets.

7 JULY

VINEYARD AFTERNOON TEA, Carlton Towers, High St, Carlton, Goole DN14 9LZ. The beautiful walled vineyard garden is the perfect setting for a relaxing afternoon tea with friends and family. Visit www. carltontowers.co.uk/events-2/

vineyard-afternoon-tea-2 9 JULY

A SERVICE OF COMMEMORATION, York Minster, Deangate, York YO1 7HH. To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the 1984 fire York Minster is holding a special Choral Evensong service to give thanks to the amazing team that helped restore and rebuild the iconic York cathedral. Free admission with everyone welcome to join. Visit www.Yorkminster.org to learn more.

13 JULY

HAXBY CARNIVAL, Ethel Ward Playing Field, Haxby, York. Starts at 12.45pm. A free carnival event for the York community. Expect fantastic live music, a funfair, great local food and so much more! Call 01904750378 for more details.

13 JULY

MALTON MONTHLY FOOD MARKET, Market Place, Malton. 9am-3pm. Expect speciality vendors, street cuisine, live music and lots of food-related fun! This market is a sensory feast with lots of fantastic local produce to sample. Visit www. visitmalton.com for more.

13-14 JULY

YORK PHOTOGRAPHIC SOCIETY

EXHIBITION, Poppleton Tithe Barn, Church Lane, Nether Poppleton, YO26 6LF, 10am to 5pm. Over 120

20 JULY

YORK POTTERS FAIR, Southlands Methodist Church,97 Bishopthorpe Road, York. 11am-5pm. Bringing together and celebrating more than 40 of the region’s potters and ceramic artists. Alongside the pottery on sale at the fair, there will also be a silent auction where more unique ceramic items will be available to purchase— all proceeds from the auction will go towards the charity Refugee Action York. Visit www.northernpotters.co.uk for more information.

prints from members will be on display in the historic 16th century Tithe Barn, including a selection of images awarded at the YPU annual exhibition. Free Entry. For more information visit www. yorkphotosoc.org.

18 JULY

JACK SAVORETTI, York Museum Gardens. The chat-topping singersongwriter is heading to the York Museum Gardens and will be joined by special guests Foy Vance and Benjamin Francis Leftwich (read our interview with Ben on page 59). To book your tickets or to find out more information visit www. futuresoundgroup.com/yorkmuseum-gardens.

19-20 JULY

YORK STAMP AND COIN FAIR, York Racecourse. 10am-5pm. With over 100 stamp, coin, banknote and medal dealers in attendance you can find out more about postal history and browse through dealers’ stock at your leisure. You can also buy, sell and get valuations. Free entry. Refreshments available. For more information visit www. stampshows.net.

22-23 JULY

OPEN GARDEN FOR THE NATIONAL GARDEN SCHEME, 15 Knapton Lane, Acomb, York. 1-6pm. Admission is £4 (children free). Refreshments in aid of Oxfam. Plants for sale from Summerfield Nursery. Further info at indagarden.ngs.org.uk/ garden/20317/the-nursery

25-28 JULY

OUTDOOR ADVENTURE CINEMA, Castle Howard ,York .Enjoy a movie and singalong with all the friends and family! Visit www.castlehoward. co.uk/whats-on to book in.

26-27 JULY

MUSIC SHOWCASE WEEKEND, York Racecourse. 11am-9pm. Kaiser Chiefs will perform following the evening racing on Friday, July 26th, while S Club will take the stage after racing on Saturday. Secure your place by booking tickets from www.yorkracecourse.co.uk.

27 JULY

FOUR BRITS BOOK FEST, York Barbican, Paragon Street. Over 60 British and International romance authors and vendors will all under one roof at the York Barbican! Visit www.yorkbarbican.co.uk for more information.

(new show for 2024)

(new for 2024)

27 JULY

GHOSTLY GATHERING, Spark, 17-21 Piccadilly, York. Spark York are hosting their first annual ghostly gathering, for fans of York Ghost merchants or just collectors of anything ghostly.Visit www. sparkyork.org for more information.

28 JULY-24 AUGUST

DONNA COLLIS MEMORIES

EXHIBITION, Cityscreen, Coney Street, York. The works of local artist Donna Collis (Willau Art) will be on display at Cityscreen. You can meet Donna at in the Cafe Bar at Cityscreen from 7.30pm on the 28th of July, where you can buy greeting cards, prints, or one of her calendars.

30 JULY

COLLECTABLES VALUATION EVENT, Bar Convent, York. 11am-3pm. Tennants’ team of specialists will gladly assess the value of any item you're considering selling. They cover a wide range, including jewellery, clocks, watches, silverware, objects of virtue, glassware, ceramics, antiques, and collectables.Visit www.tennants.co.uk for more details.

BOOK AHEAD

1-4 AUGUST

YORK GEORGIAN FESTIVAL, Mansion House, York. 10am-6pm. Celebrate York’s Georgian history by attending Bridgerton-esque ballroom dance classes, following family trails, dressing up in traditional clothing, trying 18th century cuisine, and so much more. Head to www. mansionhouseyork.com for more information.

OPENS 3 AUGUST

INTO BATTLE — THE ART OF BRITISH WAR COMICS, York Army Museum, 3 Tower Street, York. 10am-5pm. An exhibition showcasing the best of British war comics. Head to yorkarmymuseum.co.uk for more information.

3-4 AUGUST

ANTIQUE AND VINTAGE

FAIR, Wetherby Racecourse. 8am5pm on Saturday and 9am-4pm on Sunday. Join professional dealers, collectors, and antique enthusiasts at Wetherby Racecourse. There will be a wide selection of furniture, pictures, ceramics, glass, silver, jewellery, curios, and collectables. Call 01332 830444 or visit www. jaguarfairs.com.

10 AUGUST

90S SILENT DISCO, Castle Howard. Some of the best 90s DJs will be coming to Castle Howard for the very first time! Visit www. castlehoward.co.uk for more details.

10 AUGUST

ABBA TRIBUTE EVENING, The Principal Hotel, York. 7-11pm. Calling

all dancing queens! A ticket includes an arrival drink, a three-course meal and a LIVE performance from the one and only Bjorn to be Abba tribute band, bringing us timeless classics like ‘Gimme, Gimme, Gimme’, ‘I Have a Dream’, ‘Waterloo’, ‘Voulez-Vous’ and many more! Call to book 01904 653681 or email events@theprincipalyork.com.

20-25 AUGUST

LORD OF THE DANCE ‘A LIFETIME OF STANDING OVATIONS’, York Barbican. Showtimes vary. Expect Irish dance, artistic lighting, and breathtaking pyrotechnics with an (estimated) 150,000 taps per show! Head to www.yorkbarbican.co.uk to book tickets.

24-26 AUGUST.

ART IN THE BARN, Tithe Barn, Church Lane, Nether Poppleton. A fabulous exhibition of a variety of artworks created by local artists. Free admission and ample parking.

31 AUGUST

HORSES AND KNIGHTS-MEDIEVAL EVENT Carlton Towers, Carlton DN14 9LZ.Witness some gritty battles between the knights and the nobles,meet the team and have a go at some archery in this spectacular medieval event with carlton towers. Visit www. carltontowers.co.uk to book your ticket now.

14 SEPTEMBER

1 DAY STAINED GLASS CRAFT WORKSHOP, St. Mary's Church, Beverley. 9am-5pm. A 1- day practical taster course, which aims to introduce you to the traditional craft of stained-glass making, taught by professional artist and conservator, Helen Bower. Book from www.woldsworkshop.com.

10 AND 11 OCTOBER

2-DAY PAINTING AND GLAZING WORKSHOP, The Harriet Centre, York Cemetery. 9am-5pm. This class will guide students through the techniques of glass painting, using examples of medieval glass painting applications as inspiration. On the second day, students will be shown how to incorporate their kilnfired pieces into a simple leaded framework, including soldering and cementing. Book from www. woldsworkshop.com.

12 OCTOBER

1 DAY STAINED GLASS WORKSHOP, York, Harriet Centre. 9am-5pm. This class will guide students through the techniques of glass cutting, lead shaping, soldering and cementing. At the end of the course, you will be able to take home your own stained-glass panel approximately 220mm X 220mm. Book from www. woldsworkshop.com.

REGULAR EVENTS

EVERY TUESDAY

LISHI-DAOIST TAI CHI, Heworth Church Hall, York, 7-8:30pm. Learn the different strands of Lishi (an ancient family system of arts) in a fun and light-hearted environment as you work to develop physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Contact Phil on 07921100188 to ask any questions you might have before you start.

EVERY WEDNESDAY

MOVE IT OR LOSE IT, Acomb Methodist Church, Front Street, Acomb. 10.30-11.30am. A fitness class for seniors. For more info or to book your place please contact Hannah on 07375950315 or at hannah.carterbrown@ moveitorloseit.co.uk. There will be a free taster class at Poppleton Community Centre on the 7th of June.

YOGA WITH NESTOR, Stockton on the Forest Village Hall, 10am. A mixed ability yoga class, beginners welcome. Email nestorportnoy@ yahoo.com.

EVERY THURSDAY

WALK WITH YORK, North Stand Entrance of LNER Community Stadium carpark, 12.15pm. A 30-minute walk with the City of York Foundation, guaranteed to make you feel refreshed and ready for the afternoon ahead. Contact inclusion@yorkcityfoundation.co.uk for more details.

YOGA WITH NESTOR, 29 Maple Grove, Fulford. A mixed ability yoga class, beginners welcome. Email nestorportnoy@yahoo.com

EVERY THURSDAY

MASTERS RUGBY LEAGUE, New Earswick Sports and Social Club, from 7pm. Go along and enjoy some touch and pass training. Head to www.newearswicksportsclub.co.uk for more information.

EVERY SECOND FRIDAY

FANCY A KICKABOUT? Free football sessions for children aged 8-17 run by the York City Football Club

Foundation at the Vale of York Academy on Rawcliffe Drive. The session for ages 8-12 will between 5pm and 6pm and the session for ages 13-17 will be between 6-7pm. Contact enquiries@ yorkcityfcfoundation.co.uk for more details

EVERY SATURDAY

TRADITIONAL ARTS AND CRAFTS MARKET, 58-34 Market Pl, Malton YO17 7LW. Every Saturday in Malton’s market place you will be able to find gifts, interiors, fashion, food, art and even more. There is free entry and free parking for 2 hours! Visit www.visitmalton.com to find out more.

EVERY SUNDAY

WIGGINTON CAR BOOT SALE, Home Farm, Wigginton. 6.30am-1pm weather permitting. Cars cost £9 and vans are £10, with additional trailers at an extra £2. Public admission is £1 with toilets and refreshments available. Call 01904 768463.

DOWN BY THE RIVER, Plonkers Wine Bar, 8.30pm. Head on down to Plonkers Wine Bar every Sunday for an evening of live music in a relaxed atmosphere. Free drink to all performers and all music equipment is provided. To find out more information search Plonkers Wine Bar on Facebook.

DATES AND TIMES TBC CROCHET FOR BEGINNERS, Mossdale Residential Home. No previous experience required, just go along and give it a go! There will be face-to-face tutorials. Get in touch on 07775661173 for more information.

Attractions & Days Out

Information is correct at the time of printing but subject to change. Please check with venues ahead of your visit.

BEETLE BANK FARM, Moor Lane, Murton, York. Discover hours of family fun at Beetle Bank farm this Summer! Head on down to meet all of the farm animals, jump around on an inflatable assault course. Head to www.beetlebankopenfarm.co.uk

CITY CRUISES YORK, York’s favourite water-based attraction offers sightseeing, dining, self-drive, and private hire cruises on the River Ouse, and is a much-loved and highly regarded staple of York’s visitor economy. Head to www. cityexperiences.com/york to book.

CASTLE HOWARD, Marvel at the palace which took over 100 years to complete, wander through the manicured gardens, play at Skelf Island, and take souvenirs home with you from The Farm Shop and Garden Centre. Pre-booking is recommended. Visit castlehoward. co.uk.

DARK TALES OF YORK, Book a private tour to explore the narrow streets of York and learn about the rich and haunting history that the city has amassed over thousands of years. Call 07530 378176 or visit www. darktalesofyork.com.

THE HOLE IN WAND, Coppergate Shopping Centre, York. Visit the world’s most magical golf course and enjoy a Wizarding adventure as you vie for golfing superiority against friends! To find out more information or to book, please visit www.theholeinwand.com/york.

THE HILT AXE THROWING, 57B Goodramgate, York YO1 7LS. Open everyday except Mondays from 2-8pm. This is the first axe throwing venue to open on the streets of York and offers eight lanes for

aspiring vikings to either be coached or to take part in axe throwing tournaments. They also serve food and drink. Visit www.thehilt.co.uk to book a lane.

THE CAT’S WHISKERS CAFÉ, What better way to enjoy a cake, cup of tea, hot chocolate, or a coffee than in a café full of cats! The Cat’s Whiskers sits comfortably in the city centre and offers charming views of the Minster whilst you relax alongside Sprout, Pumpkin, and many more feline residents.

TONY CRAGG AT CASTLE HOWARD, Attendace to an exhition that showcases the works of internationally-renowned sculptor Tony Cragg is included in admission to the iconic House and Gardens. Pre-booking is recommended. Visit castlehoward.co.uk.

JORVIK VIKING CENTRE, Coppergate. Discover the Original Viking Encounter! Enjoy the world-famous ride experience with the sights, sounds, and smells of the Viking Age, as well as get up close to the ancient artefacts and interact with their friendly real-life Vikings. Visit www.jorvikvikingcentre.co.uk.

THE OLD LIQUOR

STORE, Bishopthorpe Road, York.

An Italian-influenced restaurant situated at the epicentre of York’s culinary history. Now under the directorship of Ben Williams, the restaurant boasts one of the city’s very best Sunday Lunch offerings as well as stone-baked pizzettas, excellent antipasti, and more — alongside a delicious range of deli options. Keep an eye-out for their race day menus! Enquire at 01904 950147.

POTIONS ACADEMY

The Potions Academy will consist of two core elements; The Potions Class and The Broom School.

The Potions Class, a magical

EDEN CAMP, Eden Camp Modern History Museum, Malton. YO17 6RT. This site of a former prisoner of war camp in the North Yorkshire countryside has been fully reequipped to tell the true story of The People’s War— the social history of life in Britain from 1939 to 1945. Head to edencamp.co.uk to book a ticket or to find out more about the museum.

NATIONAL RAILWAY MUSEUM, Leeman Road. Visit the home of our iconic locomotives. Full of history like the Mallard, the fastest steam train, and explore the future too with Japanese bullet trains that travel up to speeds of 320km/h. Free admission but booking is advised. Visit www.railwaymuseum. org.uk/visit to find out more information.

WIZARD WALK OF YORK, The Shambles. Explore the enchanting historical city on a mission to locate magical creatures. Ideal for children aged between five and ten years old, there are several evening days available; reserve your spot online at www.wizardwalkofyork.com.

NORTH YORKSHIRE MOORS

RAILWAY, Pickering. Experience 24 miles of Yorkshire’s amazing scenery in historic carriages behind a

heritage steam or diesel locomotive. Book online at nymr.co.uk

YORKSHIRE AIR MUSEUM, Elvington. Did you know that the firstever aeroplane was invented in Yorkshire? Explore aircraft from throughout history and dig into archive material to learn all about the world of aviation. Visitors can also enjoy a stroll on the Nature of Flight walk or take a moment to reflect in the Remembrance Garden. Visit yorkshireairmuseum.org.

YORK GOLF RANGE, Towthorpe Moor Lane, near Strensall. Set in beautiful countryside, York Golf Range features a whole host of fun activities, including a floodlit driving range, a nine-hole golf course, crazy golf, and even foot golf – a great combination of soccer and golf. Visit www.yorkgolfrange.co.uk or call 01904 499275.

YORK MAZE, Elvington. This year's maze is set to aMAZE the family for a full day out packed with plenty of attractions, shows and rides and of course the maze! Tickets must be booked via www.yorkmaze.com.

family experience, will be led by the Potion Master who will impart the wisdom of esteemed alchemist and wizard of the highest order, Phileas Fry. Every graduating wizard and witch will receive their very own magical potion.

The Broom School will give witches and wizards the opportunity to fly across the

historic city of York in the hope they escape the fire of the dragon’s breath and make it safely back to the academy. Each graduate will take away a video of their flight, plus one of our potions.

The Potions Academy is located on 15 Shambles enter by Newgate Market

July prices start from £6.99 for more information please visit www.thepotionscauldron.com/ academy

From the 19th of July, York’s most famous street, Shambles, will become even more enchanting with the opening of The Potions Academy.

THE HILT AXE THROWING

WEST SIDE STORY

Based on a Conception of JEROME ROBBINS. Book by ARTHUR LAURENTS.

by LEONARD BERNSTEIN Lyrics by STEPHEN SONDHEIM.

GIGGUIDE JUNE

SAT 22 JUN

True Order

York Vaults, 7.30pm

Mostly Autumn

The Crescent, 7.30pm

Bounty Hunters Country Band

The Edinburgh Arms, 9pm DJ Ulf's Birthday Bash

The Fulford Arms, 5.30pm That Guy Called Si The Three Tuns, 9pm

SUN 23 JUN

The Weeping Willows

The Snickleway The Locals

Dringhouses Sports Club

5.30pm Tri-Starrs

The Bootham Tavern, 7pm Chaos 8, HiFi Spitfires + Snapblades

The Fulford Arms, 7.30pm

MON 24 JUN

Alogte Oho & His Sounds of Joy The Crescent, 7.30pm

WED 26 JUN

Josh Rouse The Crescent, 7.30pm

THURS, 27 JUN

Worth Valley Jazz Band + Ruth Gadziel Dringhouses Sports Club, 1pm-3.30pm Spirit of the Hawk, ATKRTV and The Sound of Glass

The Fulford Arms, 7.30pm

FRI 28 JUN

Eliza Carthy

National Centre for Early Music, 7.30pm The Company You Keep - A Nashville Style Songwriters Show hosted by Jade Helliwell

FortyFive Vinyl Cafe, 7.30pm Fendry - The Apocalypse DiscoElekdead - Funked Up The Fulford Arms, 7.30pm

SAT 29 JUN

Groovetone

The Fox Inn, 5pm

David Ward

Maclean & Friends with special guest

Edwina Hayes Friargate Theatre, 6.30pm

SAT 29 JUN

Who's Next York Vaults, 8pm The Mojos

The Edinburgh Arms, 9pm

Tizane - PatienceMoongate

The Fulford Arms, 7.30pm Tri-Starrs The Hop, 9pm Jimbo Doomface

The Three Tuns, 9pm The Wham Bams Cross Keys, 9pm

SUN 30 JUN

Jonny & Lynette

The Edinburgh Arms, 7pm Tri-Starrs Thor’s Tipi, 3.30pm

Noize Doctorz

Severus Social Club, Acomb, 5.30pm

THURS 4 JUL

Easy Street

Spankers

Dringhouses Sports Club, 1pm-3.30pm

FRI 5 JUL

Swinefest 2024 - 3 day DIY punk festival

ChampayneNylon - Aperture

- Morrissoi - Benny Rabble

The Fulford Arms, 8pm

Stikky Fingers York Vaults

SAT 6 JUL

LIVE/WIRE The AC/ DC Show

The Crescent, 7.30pm

Swinefest 2024 - 3 day DIY punk festival

Casual NauseaAlmighty UprisersCoughin Vicars - Sex Germs - Agoniser - Pat ButcherPleasure - The Crash Mats - Snakes

Among Us - RetsuJames Domestic

The Fulford Arms, 8pm

Glampyre

The Edinburgh Arms, 9pm

That Guy Called Si The Three Tuns, 9pm

SUN 7 JUL

The Y Street Band

Thor’s Tipi, 3.30pm Tri-Starrs

Severus Social Club, Acomb, 5.30pm

The Countess of Fife + Chris Dover

The Crescent, 7.30pm

SUN 7 JUL

Swinefest 2024 - 3 day DIY punk festival

Captain Hotknives

- Speed DinosaursJason Stirling - The Wreck Liners - The Sex Cripples

The Fulford Arms, 8pm

Accidentally

Acoustic

The Edinburgh Arms, 4pm

WED 10 JULY

Kelley Stoltz

The Fulford Arms, 7.30pm

THURS 11 JUL

Shades of Jazz

Dringhouses Sports Club, 1pm-3.30pm

An Dannsa Dub + Irie Vibes DJs

The Crescent, 7.30pm

FRI 12 JUL

The Cover Culprits

Kennedy’s, 7.30pm Freida Nipples Presents… Burlesque, Drag & Cabaret

The Crescent, 7.30pm

SAT 13 JUL

Rattus Inheritus

The York Vaults, 7.30pm

TV Smith

The Fulford Arms, 7.30pm

Friday Street

Severus Social Club, Acomb, 8.30pm

The Young Ones

The Edinburgh Arms, 9pm

Jimbo Doomface

The Three Tuns, 9pm Owen Martin Cross Keys, 9pm

SUN 14 JUL

Rough Edge

Severus Social Club, Acomb, 5.30pm

TUES, 16 JUL

Thumpasaurus

The Crescent, 7.30pm

WED 17 JUL

The Drifters

Grand Opera House, 7.30pm

THURS 18 JUL

Louis Louis Louis Dringhouses Sports Club, 1pm-3.30pm Jack Savoretti + Foy Vance + Benjamin Francis Leftwich Museum Gardens, 5pm

THURS 18 JUL

Ruts DC Electracoustic The Crescent, 7.30pm

FRI 19 JUL

Shed Seven + Pete Doherty + Lottery Winners + Serotones Museum Gardens, 5pm Tri-Starrs

The Hop, 9pm

SAT 20 JUL

Shed Seven + Pete Doherty + Brooke Combe + Apollo Junction Museum Gardens, 5pm

I'am Gallagher vs The Cortinas York Vaults, 7.30pm

That Guy Called Si The Three Tuns, 9pm

SUN 21 JUL

Sugababes Museum Gardens, 5pm

Memphis Cruisers

Severus Social Club, Acomb, 5.30pm Call Me Malcolm The Fulford Arms, 5.30pm

THURS 18 JUL

Vintage Rhythms Dringhouses Sports Club, 1pm-3.30pm

FRIDAY 26 JULY

Kaiser Chiefs - EBF Lyric Stakes York Racecourse, 3:30pm

SAT 27 JUL

Punk York 3

The York Vaults, 4pm The Persuaders

The Edinburgh Arms, 9pm

Jimbo Doomface

The Three Tuns, 9pm Anthea Drive Cross Keys, 9pm

SUN 28 JUL

Nashville Sessions feat Sam Marshall The Edinburgh Arms, 7pm

Midnight Flyers

The Snickleway, 5pm

Black Dogs

Severus Social Club, Acomb, 5.30pm

WED 31 JUL

One Night of Live Loud & Local with Rejected Reality + Souvenir + Poison Dart + Kiss Kiss Kill Joseph Rowntree Theatre, 7.30pm

by Vincent Danks LIVE MUSIC

Despite it’s diminutive size, York has always had a vibrant live music scene and although it’s not been immune to the worrying national trend of recent years that has seen a large number of established grass roots venues close, notably with the loss of The Duchess and Fibbers, it still has plenty off live entertainment to offer both residents and visitors.

In the youthful days of my own guitar playing efforts, all that was needed for exposure was to turn up with some equipment and a bunch of your own songs and many local pubs would happily let you play. Today, most pubs want covers or tribute acts and so the opportunities are more limited. As such, grass roots venues have become all the more valuable.

The Fulford Arms has long been such a venue, showcasing a diversity of music both on weekdays and at the weekend with a mixture of alternative music from punk to heavy metal and a few tribute acts thrown into the mix...and it's got an excellent beer garden to boot! The Crescent have an equally eclectic range of gigs ranging from afro fusion, jazz, stand up comedy and a Music and illustration festival. Across the river, The Vaults also showcase original artists and also host tribute acts and covers bands.

As the weekend approaches the nights liven up. Friday will always see live music at the Roman Bath and the Bootham Tavern and on a Saturday a walk around some parts of York would have you thinking that every pub in the city has a band on. As a result there are many York bands such as the Mothers, Dufflegoat, The Echoes, The Typhoons and Up The Junction who will happily cater for those who prefer to see a band performing familiar songs and will frequently be seen at venues such as the Roman Bath, the Edinburgh Arms and the Black Horse, all of whom actively support live music.

For larger acts there is the Barbican, and although you’re not likely to see Taylor Swift dropping by anytime soon you will be able to see well known faces such as David Essex and also well established tribute acts such as Legend - The Music Of Bob Marley and the ELO show. They also have plenty of comedy nights and also host sporting events such as the World Seniors Darts Tour Matchplay.

The Racecourse have Music Showcase Weekends as part of their race meetings and will book well know acts such as the Kaiser Chiefs who are playing on the 26th of July. The Museum Gardens have some live music events this year, including a 2 nighter that see the return of Shed 7 to their hometown of York, celebrating 30 years in the business and gearing up for the release of their new album, A Matter of Time.

THEATRE & NIGHTS OUT

York Theatre Royal

To book, call 01904 623568, or visit www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk.

3-6 JULY

THE SORCERER. A spellbinding opera show. Sir Marmaduke Pointdextre invites you to attend afternoon tea in the formal gardens of Ploverleigh Hall to celebrate the happy betrothal of his only son Alexis to Miss Aline Sangazur. A love at first sight elixir is mixed into the celebration tea by a sorcerer. What could possibly go wrong?

18 JULY- 03 AUGUST

AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS-

ISH. Adapted and directed by Juliet Forster, “Around the World in 80 Days-ish” brings Jules Verne’s tale to life with circus flair. Join the adventure for ages 7 and up!

22 JULY

WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE

Based on the childhood storybook by Maurice Sendak, join Max on his adventures to the land of the Wild Things…

Joseph Rowntree Theatre

To book, call 01904 501935 or visit josephrowntreetheatre.co.uk

11-13 JULY

GRIMM TALES. Join the Rowntree Players on a journey through some of the brother Grimm’s delightfully bizarre stories, to reveal their true origins and to discover that the path to a happy ending can, indeed, be a little grim!

24-27 JULY

WEST SIDE STORY. In this modern re-telling of Shakespeare’s classic, Romeo and Juliet, love blossoms between a boy and a girl from opposing gangs, The Sharks and The Jets, setting up a story that is fated to end in tragedy.

Grand Opera House

To book, call 0333 009 6690, or visit atgtickets.com.

23-27 JULY

THE 39 STEPS. See Alfred Hitchcock’s iconic story reimagined on the stage and follow Richard Hannay’s battle against all odds to clear his name once more. After nearly 10 years in London’s West End,

the incredible show is headed up to York, with its quintessentially plucky spirit and dashing sense of fun. This wonderfully inventive and gripping comedy thriller features four fearless actors, playing 139 roles in 100 minutes of fastpaced fun and thrilling action.

31 AUGUST-1 SEPTEMBER

THE TIGER WHO CAME TO TEA

Join the tea-guzzling tiger in this delightful family show; packed with oodles of magic, sing-a-long songs and clumsy chaos.

The Kings Theatre

To book visit kingstheatreqe.org/ book-tickets or email boxoffice@ qe.org

11 JULY

THE GONDOLIERS. Two charming gondoliers suddenly find themselves elevated to the status of royalty. Hilarity ensues when the rightful Queen arrives demanding to know which is her rightful husband. Ultimately, love triumphs and the gondoliers discover that happiness lies not in noble titles but in true love.

Riding Lights Theatre Company, Friargate Theatre

To book call 01904 655317 or visit ridinglights.org

12 JULY

RIGHT HERE RIGHT NOW A night of fun and foolish audience-led improv comedy for all the family.

BEN’S BOOKS JULY

Avid reader and creative writer Ben Robinson shares his monthly reading recommendations. Read on to find your next poolside holiday read!

Last year I gave you some of my favourite autobiographical works and over the past six months I have read some more astounding memoirs. I thought that in this month's column I would take you back to one of my favourite genres and recommend some of my favourite non-fiction memoir books from 2024 so far!

‘A WORKING CLASS FAMILY AGES BADLY’ - by Juno Roche

This is quite possibly one of the greatest books I have read in a long time. This book has everything, from heartache to humour. Roche will take you back to the 1990s when the world was being changed by the HIV/AIDS pandemic, and more recently the COVID-19 pandemic, she draws heartbreaking comparisons between the two in relation to her own life, and those around her. This book will have you turning each page wanting to know more about the incredible life Roche has lived.

‘TELL ME THE TRUTH ABOUT LOVE: 13 TALES FROM THE THERAPIST’S COUCH’

- by Susanna

Abse

In this eye-opening book Abse writes about her experiences as a therapist and the stories of couples she has worked with. Abse writes brilliantly about each partnership, no two stories being the same. This book is a love letter to the importance relationships have on us and how they can change us, for better or for worse. This book is a must read for anyone who wants a glimpse into the secret world of the therapist's couch.

‘YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT WAR IS’ - by

Yeva Skalietska

One of the more heartbreaking reads on this list ‘You Don’t Know What War Is’ tells the story of Yeva, a 12-yearold girl from Ukraine. Written from her perspective of how she survived the first two months of the war in Ukraine, this story tracks her movements from the bombed-out city of Kharkiv, all the way to Ireland, and how she had to uproot her life amid conflict. Whilst this is classed as a book for the age of 10 upwards, it is worth the read for any adult or child.

‘WHAT REMAINS’ - by Carole Radziwill Carole Radziwill is a reality TV icon, but she is also so much more than that. Now a distinguished author, and previously a journalist, she unpacks the brilliant tale of her life in this book. Radziwill relives the trauma, romance, and whimsy surrounding her time with Anthony Radziwill in the lead up to his death. At its heart this is a story about love, but it encompasses Radziwill's journey from a young girl in the big city to a journalist of international acclaim, that is until she meets prince Anthony Radziwill. This was where her life changed forever. This is one of the greatest celebrity memoirs I have read, and for an insight into the world of Radziwill, it is well worth the read.

‘MEMOIRS FROM THE WOMEN’S PRISON’ - by Nawal El Saadawi

In 1981 the author, El Saadawi, was imprisoned in Egypt for protest. During her time in the prison, El Saadawi found a community of women who she formed close bonds with. This book takes the reader through all the characters and inspiring people she met who had fought back against the regime. In harrowing, humorous, and heartwarming stories she takes us right inside the women's prison. This book is truly unforgettable.

YORK PRIDE 2024 IN PICTURES

North Yorkshire’s largest LGBTQ+ festival returned to the streets of York this June, as thousands of people sang and danced their way through the city centre from Coney Street all the way to the Knavesmire. We’ve put together a collection of our favourite moments from the day!

Where’s that mural?

WIN: A £25 Tesco’s Voucher

If you’ve been paying attention over the last few months, you’ll notice that quite a few street art murals have popped up in different areas around the city, adding a a brilliant burst of colour to the historic streets of York! Check out our favourites below.

What better way to celebrate their arrival than with a friendly competition.

All you need to do to be in with a chance of winning is head on down to any of the paintings and take a photo of yourself with it!

If you succeed in tracking them all down, not only will you win a £25 Tesco’s voucher, but your photo will also be featured here in the Your Local Link magazine!

Send your photo by email to competitions@ yourlocallink.co.uk by the 5th of July 2024 for a chance to be featured!

A £25 Tesco's Voucher

WRITTEN BY

Sammi Minion

This summer, Ben is returning to York to perform at Museum Gardens where he’ll be supporting Jack Savoretti on July the 18th. After breaking the tragic news to the former York local that the Water World swimming centre shut down almost a decade ago and reminiscing over shared memories of teenage trips to the cinema near our Clifton Moor office, we sat down to discuss his return to York and the music he’s been making since.

How was growing up in York?

I grew up in York and lived there till I was 23 or 24. I toured my first album from York and grew up with my dad and sister there. I've got very fond memories of being in that city.

I was in a band when I was 16, called the Nicoles and we would play at Fibbers, opening for people. Then I kind of went solo when I was like, 17, like a solo acoustic deal and I played at Fibbers. I played open mic at The Habit, The Duchess, The Junction Basement Bar. You know, I played everywhere just all around the place and credit to the York music scene, you know, all the old Gs of that scene. Everyone was so supportive. I was always a shy kid. I'm still kind of a shy kid, I don’t like being the centre of attention at all. But I had these songs that I had to sing and they encouraged me. How excited are you to be coming back to York?

I'm really excited. You know the Museum Gardens, they’re gardens that I’ve hung out at for like 25-years or something. I think we're playing for like 40 minutes. And I love Foy [Fellow support act Foy Vance]. I've known Foy a long time, and I'm such a fan of his music. And Ella — who’s opening up the day festival thing is cool— I've written with her, and Jack Savoretti and I have exchanged, you know, a lot of messages over the years. So I think it’s gonna be a family affair you know. I just hope the weather is nice!

Could you give us a bit of a scoop on the setlist?

Absolutely. Man, I always play a mix of everything. I think we'll do a 40-minute set, so I think we'll probably touch on each album, but

Benjamin Francis Leftwich

After bursting onto the scene with his first album (“Last Smoke Before the Snowstorm”) in 2011 when he was in his early twenties and still living in York, Ben Leftwich has now established himself as one of the bestknown singer-songwriters to come from our city this century.

we'll definitely be playing a few of those older songs and some of the new album, probably not all of it. Some of the songs off To Carry a Whale, we’ll do one or two off After the Rain. Will we do anything off Gratitude? I don't know. That album is kind of heavy to me, but yeah, there will definitely be songs that people know if they've listened to my music for a little while. I know what people want to hear.

Is there anything you miss about York when you're away? If there is one thing you miss, what would you say it is?

Just being able to walk everywhere. Just being able to walk from my house into town, you know, and to get to the gardens. I've got some really good friends in York, so whenever I'm there, I love it. I kind of miss school sometimes. I don't live in regret, I don't regret the past or shut the door on it, but I definitely miss the smallness of it, the simple life of it. I kind of lost myself, as a lot of people do they can lose themselves in the music industry. They kind of start faking their own existence and living in a way that isn't congruent to them — at least I did— visually, spiritually and aesthetically. I just feel in a really good place at the moment. I'm really grateful that, you know, God has just continued to reduce me and bring me back to the core of the gift, you know — acoustic guitar in my hands, singing songs that I believe in

I read recently that you’re now six-years sober, has that helped you rediscover yourself and return to your music?

Firstly, I'd say I know a lot of people who can drink and do whatever successfully, but I can't. I definitely don't judge alcohol or people who use drugs or anything like that, but I know that I kind of overstayed my welcome at that party. And I just got to a point where I really wanted to stop, but I found that I couldn't.

I remember being in rehab and thinking, "Oh, I'd never be able to write songs again. I've written all these songs that connected with all these people, and I've always written them messed up." And the opposite has been true. Since coming out and since growing more in sobriety, crazy things have happened. I've written with all these amazing artists and got songs out all over the place. It's amazing. I don't take any of the credit for my sobriety personally. It's nothing that I did. It's a gift that was given to me.

I was a huge fan of your new track “New York”, but was any of your early music inspired by York?

Subconsciously, yeah. The first album's lyrics were nature-based, and forest-based, and ocean- based, sky-based— I think growing up in Yorkshire and seeing just how beautiful it is and the kind of love for acoustic guitars and songs in town in the circles that I was in definitely played into what came out of my heart and mouth.

I don’t really know where the songs come from. Danny from The Script, who I write with a lot, once said to me, "Our songs are none of our business," and I got what he meant. Some days the songs just

fall out of the sky, and other times you have to sit down and craft them out.

Other than Jack Savoretti, if you could share a stage with any artist, living or dead, who would you choose?

Probably Springsteen. I love him so much, and I think his fans are lovers of music and people. It would be great.

If your music could have one impact on the people who listen to it— what would it be?

Probably hope, you know. I like it when my music breaks people's hearts so the heart can be healed again. Hope, a broken heart, and a healed heart, all in one.

I’ve just got a light-hearted one to finish with. If you could be any animal, what would it be? Probably an octopus. I feel like they’re so sick. It’d be fun to have eight legs and be at the bottom of the ocean. They're mad clever too.

What animal do you think actually represents you?

Probably an elephant. They're big and strong, but they have moments of chaos where they smash everything up. I relate to that.

Leftwich

We Tried

Welcome to Your Local Link’s newest feature! This July we’re celebrating some of the incredible tourist attractions and cultural events happening in our city by trying them out for ourselves — so you know which ones are worth your time!

REVIEW BY

Charles Walker

“The meeting of past and present through the lens of extraordinary art”

Castle Howard, with its sprawling gardens and classical architecture, provides a fabulous backdrop for Tony Cragg's latest sculpture exhibition. The stately home’s classical elegance contrasted with Cragg’s contemporary organic forms, creates a dialogue between the old and the new, making for a compelling viewing experience.

As an avid admirer of sculptural works, I was looking forward to a couple of hours spent wandering the grounds of one of the country’s finest stately homes and admiring the works of one of the medium’s leading artists. I am pleased to say that my expectations were not only met, but far exceeded.

Within a short walk from entering the grounds, visitors are immediately struck by the first two of Cragg’s monumental sculptures – ‘Points of View’ and ‘Senders’which punctuate the landscape with their dynamic presence against a backdrop of the ornamental lakes on one side and the classical façade of the main building on the other.

The artist’s use of diverse materials—bronze, fibreglass, steel, and glass—highlights his versatility and command over different mediums. Each piece, with its intricate

Review of the Tony Cragg Exhibition at Castle Howard

forms and surfaces, seems to morph as the viewer walks around it, inviting contemplation from multiple perspectives.

The curation of Cragg's sculptures within the historic context of Castle Howard is particularly pleasing. The positioning of each piece is meticulous, ensuring that the sculptures complement rather than overshadow the stately home’s architectural grandeur. The dialogue between the historical setting and Cragg’s modern works underscores themes of continuity and change, making a thought-provoking statement about the evolution of art and architecture.

The exhibition in the grounds is thoughtfully designed to guide visitors through a journey of discovery. An informative and welldesigned brochure provides insights into Cragg’s creative process and the inspiration behind each piece, enhancing the viewer's appreciation.

The curators, Jon Wood and Greville Worthington, are to be congratulated – as are Christopher Ridgeway and all of the staff at Castle Howard.

Conclusion

Tony Cragg's exhibition at Castle Howard is a testament to the power of contemporary sculpture to transform and elevate historic spaces. The synergy between Cragg’s innovative forms and the timeless beauty of Castle Howard creates an immersive and thought-provoking experience. Whether you are an art aficionado or a casual visitor, this exhibition offers a unique opportunity to witness the meeting of past and present through the lens of extraordinary art. I have no hesitation in recommending it.

Make sure to book your tickets for the new Tony Cragg exhibition before it ends on the 22nd of September. Attendance is included with admission to the House and Gardens.

Take advantage of their new £65 Family Ticket, which includes House and Gardens admission for two adults and two children.

TRIED BY

DARK TALES OF YORK Mackenzie Nichol

Having lived in York all my life, I have always been curious about the city’s history and the stories that come with it. So being invited to a Dark Tales of York private tour was exciting. It didn't disappoint!

Nigel turned up looking just the part, top hat and cane included. We then walked the streets of York, he captured our imagination with his mesmerising stories, some with his brilliant wit, and some with a little bit of gore. I learned so much about the city I live in. The ghostly tales I have always heard about were brought to life. It was so captivating and always with a hint of humour, it was the perfect balance.

Any questions that we had, the very knowledgeable Nigel knew the answers to! So if you, like me, are from York and have always been curious about the dark history it has to offer, this is the perfect tour for you. From the Roman Baths, little snickleways to the shambles, it’s one not to miss.

At only £48 for a jam-packed 90-minutes of entertainment it’s worth every penny.

Visit www.darktalesofyork.com to book yourself in now.

We Tried More

From History to Legacy Monet in York

The longer you stare at The Lily Pond the more real it becomes.

Even in a jam-packed room the colour and the light, and the space at which the two meet, holds you so perfectly in place that all the hustle and bustle melts away, transporting you to another dimension — a world of complete calm.

In that journey of transportation I was re-united with some of my earliest memories of art, like the teacher that took us on a school trip to the water lily feature in Pocklington’s Burnby Hall Gardens, where she encouraged us to capture our own plein air or open air artwork on watercolour.

This probably isn’t a particularly original review of a painting from the French master Claude Monet’s most famous collection. After all, critics and admirers have been waxing lyrical about the 82x92cm square canvas for almost 200 years. Where it might stand out is that this might be the first review ever made from a gallery in York.

Last month we were invited to York Art Gallery to experience their new Monet in York exhibition. It’s running from now until the 8th of September, so make sure to get it on your list for the summer!

As part of the National Gallery’s bicentennial celebrations they are loaning masterpieces from the London collection to partner venues. It’s all about making iconic art more accessible, as the curator at York Gallery, Dr Bea Bertram me, “Not everybody is able to go to London and see Monet at the National Gallery, it’s just this incredible opportunity that we wanted to build upon.” Luckier than most, York are showcasing The Lily Pond (1899).

Its one of the 250 oil paintings Monet created of his home garden in Giverny, the well documented obsession of the last 30 years of his life.

The best way to express the impact of the exhibition is by sharing what Jack, a history student at the University of York, told me whilst we wandered around. He’d been drawn in by the Monet name as an indoor activity on a typical rainy day but added that “after coming and seeing this work and all of the other ones, I’d probably go to art galleries more in general.”

The layout of the exhibition is to Mrs Bertram’s credit. Before you get to see the masterpiece you’re led into a room full of Monet’s greatest influences, these included his French and Dutch mentors alongside some ukiyo-e (woodblock prints) pieces by Japanese artists Hiroshige and Hokusai.

Their engagement with water, colour, and light, in particular Hokusai’s mastery over the power of nature, make for a fine introduction to Monet’s style.

Their influence on the French master was made clear by a description next to each Japanese work, demonstrating which exact Monet piece it inspired. In the case Hokusai’s Red Fuji, its use of colour and shadow heavily influenced Monet’s iconic (1890-91) haystacks series.

In the next room you meet with the Water Lily masterpiece. Given an entire wall of its own gives one the time and space to reflect and really appreciate the power of the piece. I can say no more than that it must be appreciated in person.

In the third and final room rests a series of more contemporary works. All of which were inspired by Claude Monet’s distinct impressionist style.

Leticia Marion Hamilton’s depiction of Ouse Bridge, with its use of blurred impressionist colour, helps cement a sense that our area too has been memorialised in Monet’s style.

Curator Bea Bertram explained that they want this exhibition to continue to spread Monet’s legacy to new generations.

The museum have planted a wildflower meadow behind the museum where people are encouraged to sit and develop their own creations of impressionist York.

Monet in York is in exhibition from now until the 8th of September 2024, head to www.yorkartgallery.org.uk to book your tickets.

On the warmest mid-May night anyone north of the Morecambe Bay can possibly remember, I had the pleasure of plunging headfirst into York’s newest “wellbeing attraction”— wild swimming at Pool Bridge Farm. Featuring refreshing (and clinically clean) water, relaxing views, and a friendly jackdaw aptly named Captain Jacky, read on to hear in full detail about my adventures at our favourite new York-based activity.

As the sun began to set over the glimmering pond water, you’d be forgiven for thinking I was spending my Friday night somewhere in continental Europe. It would have been an easy mistake to make if not for the (many) signposts to the Designer Outlet just metres down the road — a reminder of how central the farm is, an oasis of tranquility that is only a 15-minute drive (or 29-minute cycle if you’re really on a health kick this summer) from York station.

You just wander in, pay your £6 (cash) into an honesty box, sign your name on a logbook and get ready to jump straight in! This summer they are asking people to book online.

On the farm, there are three former fishing ponds that have been transformed into reasonably shallow wildswimming lakes. So recent is its history as a fishing site, that if you’re lucky you might see a full-grown carp swim past.

We were lucky that it was so warm that it took only a few minutes to dry off while sitting in the sun by the lakeside, but as York’s climate isn’t always so tropical, fortunately they have a sauna on site.

The lake water is a welcoming a paradise of brilliant blue, that is both clinically tested to be safe for swimming but also still exists as a real eco-system. All kinds of fowl and fish still use the site as home.

Alongside the aquatic activities there’s also plenty of picnicking space as well as a cafe that guarantees lakeside al-fresco dining, even if you aren’t brave enough to venture the waters on your visit. One can just sit back enjoy the quiet with a good book.

During our visit, that tranquillity was only ever really interrupted by the more than frequent visits by the aforementioned Captain Jacky, a jackdaw who was raised at the farm after losing his parents. So disruptive is little Jacky that, after multiple complaints from shoppers at the Outlet, the owners were forced to clip his wings to limit his flight patterns to the boundaries of the farm alone.

Despite his central role in the theft of some birthday candles, his attack on a pair of brand-new Birkenstock sandals and the decision to dive headfirst into a bowl of quinoa; we all agreed that more than anything, he was what made our evening most memorable.

He sums up what’s special about this farm and wild swimming in general. When you pop down for a dip, you’re not only getting amazing exercise, and experiencing all the well-documented benefits that cold water activity has on the body, but you’re also properly interacting with the natural world and all the amazing characters that make it what it is. Just like the water — it’s properly refreshing.

Photo credit: Sophie O’Reilly

TRY THIS RECIPE?

Award-winning pork and garlic meatballs by Karen

If you’re a regular advertiser here with us, you’ll know Karen as the person you speak to when you’re paying invoices, what you won’t know is that on the 31st of October 2023 she shocked the entire Your Local Link office with the best meatballs any of use had ever tried. It made her an obvious winner at our Halloween bake-off. Lucky for you, she’s agreed to share the secret to her success.

INGREDIENTS:

Olive oil – to fry in 1b of pork mince

1 onion ½ teaspoon of oregano or Italian seasoning

Chopped chilli to taste

Couple of dashes of Hendersons relish – available from your local supermarket

2 cloves of garlic

1 tablespoon of grated parmesan cheese

Salt and Pepper

Flour to coat the meatballs

INSTRUCTIONS:

Chop the onion.

Mince the garlic. Mix all the ingredients together.

Form into the small meatballs and coat in flour.

Fry in olive oil until brown all over.

Add your favourite sauce…bolognese, creamy pasta sauce, ragu, or arabiata. It’s lovely with salad, chips, rice or all three. Karen added mozzerrella and olives on this spooky edition!

IT'S SUMMER!

Where to pick your own fruit

The arrival of July means it’s about time for that first properly fresh fruit salad, smoothie, or Pimm’s of the year. We’re lucky in York that so much delicious and fresh fruit grows in the beautiful countryside just minutes from the city. Make that first fruit salad authentic, by picking the fruit yourself!

HERE’S WHERE TO GO

Spilmans Church Farm, Sessay, YO73NB, Thirsk. Enquire at 01845501623 or on spilmanfarming@gmail.com.

They grow three acres of delicious raspberries and blackberries which can all be picked on our family-run farm.

The Fruit Yard, 2 Towthorpe Lane, Shiptonthorpe, York. YO43 3PW.

Enquire at 07909 097343 or on thefruityard2023@gmail.com.

The Balloon Tree, Stamford Bridge Road, Gate Helmsley,York,YO41 1NB

Enquire at 01759 373 023 and at info@theballoontree.co.uk.

Pay £1.50 for entry and pick everything from strawberries to gooseberries!

Kemps Farm, Glebe Farm, Barton-Le-Street, Malton, YO17 6PP

Enquire at 07798 937821 or at info@kemps.farm

Paddock House Fruit Farm, Rillington Fields, Malton YO17 8EA

Enquire at 01944 758614 or on 07946 516338.

Making holiday travel easy for everyone

BY TRAVEL EXPERT

Kerry Lakey

Travelling for many can be overwhelming, even more so if you have additional needs to make your trip run smoothly.

Here at Savannah Travel our priority is to listen and fully understand your requirements before we even begin the holiday search. This allows us to be fully aware of what you need to be in place to enjoy your well deserved break.

Over our many years of experience we have developed an understanding of some of the challenges faced and how we can help to arrange support or equipment to be available during travel and whilst in resort.

We understand no two clients will require the exact same support and accommodation needs, so our initial conversations are vital to make sure we get arrangements correct.

Just some of the tools available to us are:

• Wheelchair assistance – for guests with mobility issues we can arrange wheelchair

assistance through both UK and overseas airport and ports. Where needed we can also arrange for an ambulift to an aircraft door where the terminal is not connected via an air bridge.

• For clients with hidden disabilities and additional needs we will work with your travel provider to make sure they are aware and to also inform you of schemes such as the hidden disability lanyard scheme operated by many.

• Once you have made your way to your destination we will make sure your journey to your accommodation is suitable, from considering if a coach transfer is suitable to arranging specifically adapted transfer vehicles. We take away the pressures of putting this in place by liaising with our in resort contacts.

• Once you reach your accommodation be it a hotel, villa or cruise ship our next priority is making sure in advance of your journey that your room meets your needs. This may

be as simple as a room on a ground floor or accessed by a lift, a fridge to store medication to more enhanced requirements such as grab rails, hoists, shower seats and door frame sizes etc. We will find out all that is available and if needs be what can be done to hire equipment to be there for your arrival.

You are now on your well deserved break and now is the time for you to do as much or as little as you want or feel you can.

We have arranged many activities for clients with physical disabilities including:

1) Completing the ‘Zipline to the Falls’, a zipline taking you 2200 feet at up to 40 mph across Niagara Falls.

2) A journey on the Rocky Mountaineer train, access to the train can be arranged with the use of a hydraulic lift to board and allocation of a carriage with an adapted washroom.

3) Assisting with the application of required passes for Orlando Florida theme parks.

Whatever your requirements are let us help take the stress out of your travel planning. To start the initial conversation get in touch on 01904 623444 or visit us at 88 Main Street, Fulford.

68

OVEN CLEANING

Yorkshire Oven Cleaning 66 PEST CONTROL

East Coast Pest Control 31, 77

68

40

Earwax Away 40

Glossa Ltd 42

Jane Dunn Foot

Health Practitioner 41

The Orthotic Works 42

Yoga With Nestor 41 HOST FAMILIES

College Guardians 39 JOINERY

Duncan Littlechild Joinery 69

Emmett Bespoke joinery 68

Lewis Joinery 68

Matt Hodgson Joinery 68, 77

Paul Meillam Joinery 69

LOCKS/SECURITY/ALARMS

Afford a Lock 69

Dr Locks Ltd 69

GC Electronics 69

Keep Safe Window & Door Repairs 69

Laurel Bank Locksmiths 69

Lockline Locksmiths 69

Towergate Locksmiths 69

LOFT CONVERSIONS

Yorkshire Loft Ladders 77

LOFT LADDERS

Yorkshire Loft Ladders 27

MOTOR PARTS/SERVICES

Andy’s Autos 23

Barkers Garage 23

Birch Park Vehicle

Test Centre 23

Blacksmiths Garage 23, 77

HP Maintenance 23

Ivinson Autos Ltd 1,80

Westmoor Cars 23

Custom Auto Keys 23

R S Auto Bodyshop 23

The MOT Man 46

York Bodywork Repairs 23 OPTICIANS

Acuitis Opticians 7

YORK JOBS

Chris Lamb

You already trust Your Local Link with your advertising and marketing and have done so for 21 years. Why? Because we deliver actual results, time after time, month after month and year after year.

Well, to help you even more, we have hired our first dedicated website builder and developer. Chris Lamb. His mission is simple: to empower businesses and deliver measurable results through tailor-made, award-winning websites without burning a hole in your pocket.

In today's fast-paced world, an online identity is not just a luxury—it's a necessity. Chris understands that the process of creating a website can feel daunting, and finding trustworthy expertise is like searching for a needle in a haystack. This is where he steps in, bringing the knowledge of his five-time awardwinning web designs directly to your doorstep.

Having clinched five prestigious industry awards, his reputation shines through. His commitment to creating not just websites but bespoke digital experiences that stand out is key. Why blend in when you can lead the pack? Your Local Link turns this question into a benchmark for every project.

Affordability should never compromise quality. Starting at just £300 and with ongoing monthly support from as low as £30, this service places five-star websites within reach for all businesses. What’s more, we’re confident in our ability to meet your needs— so much so that we offer these services without a contract. If we’re not doing enough to keep your business, we don’t deserve it.

Navigating the web can be riddled with jargon, but his promise to you is a jargon-free zone. Expect clear, straightforward communication that demystifies the digital process. Each step will be laid out with clarity and simplicity, ensuring you’re never left in the dark.

What seals the deal is the personalised assistance—a real person available for ongoing help and support 24/7. He doesn’t just build your website and vanish; think of Chris as an extended member of your team, always on hand to guide, support, and grow with your business.

The introduction of our website development service at Your Local Link heralds the beginning of a one-stop shop for all your print and online advertising and marketing needs. Partner with us and embrace a seamless strategy that amplifies your brand’s voice across all channels.

Chris is both proud and eager to put your business front and centre. With our united vision and shared dedication, let’s craft a digital presence that engages with your audience, drives results and accelerates growth. Let’s make your first impression online not just good, but truly spectacular. Looking forward to making great strides together,